What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Stearate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientTetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine
PEG-8
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Water, 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 ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose
Absorbent
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Magnesium Silicate
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Retinol, Phospholipids, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Retinal, Cellulose, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Squalane, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Ceramide NP, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Gluconolactone, Ferulic Acid, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Ubiquinone, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, 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 GlycolGlycerin (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.
Polysorbate 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 20Retinol 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
