What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Urea, Lactic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Myristyl Myristate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Squalane, Retinol, Triethyl Citrate, Glycerin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polysorbate 20, Cellulose Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate, Ceramide NP, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycolic Acid 8%
Buffering
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Lactic Acid 2.5%
Buffering
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingOctyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingLecithin
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Parfum
Masking
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol 1%
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Tricaprylin
Perfuming
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCitronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycolic Acid 8%, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Propanediol, Lactic Acid 2.5%, Potassium Hydroxide, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Parfum, Ubiquinone, Phosphatidylcholine, Pentylene Glycol, Retinol 1%, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Tricaprylin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Cetyl Alcohol, Silica Silylate, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Retinol 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 RetinolWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
