What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Propanediol
Solvent
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Angelica Archangelica Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
Humectant
Sorghum Bicolor Stalk Juice
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Propanediol, Bacillus Ferment, Retinol, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Angelica Archangelica Callus Extract, Glycerin, Sorghum Bicolor Stalk Juice, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polysorbate 20, Propyl Gallate, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Pvp, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, CI 16035, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Olivate
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Dihydroxy Methylchromone
Antioxidant
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Dioleate
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Triolein, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Retinol, Tocopherol, Caffeine, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Resveratrol, Ceramide NP, Dihydroxy Methylchromone, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Dioleate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Gluconolactone, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Mica, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer yet.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRetinol 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 RetinolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
