What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
PPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sea Water
HumectantSodium PCA
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
Emulsifying
Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil
Emollient
Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Dimethicone, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Propanediol, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Retinol, Glycine Soja Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sea Water, Sodium PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Panthenol, Phytosterols, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyproline, Proline, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Tapioca Starch
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Propionate
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Disodium EDTA
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Retinol, Retinyl Propionate, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, DMDM Hydantoin, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-4, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Laureth-7, Dimethiconol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Aminomethyl Propanol, Titanium Dioxide, Disodium EDTA, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 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 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
