What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Stearate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientTetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine
PEG-8
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Retinol
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMethyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Stearate, Glycerin, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, PEG-8, Sodium Citrate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Retinol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Propyl Gallate, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Palmitate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Oenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCarnosine
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Carnosine, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Beeswax, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Decylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 RetinolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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