What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Villosus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Morus Nigra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Daucus Carota Sativa Root
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Dna
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rubus Villosus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Morus Nigra Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Panthenol, Glycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Dna, Adenosine, Retinol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about Retinol
