What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCollagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Poloxamer 235
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Collagen
Moisturising
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
BHA
Antioxidant
Soluble Collagen Crosspolymer
Emollient
Rosin Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Soy Hydrolyzed Collagen
Potassium Myristoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Bakuchiol, Caffeine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Citrate, Collagen Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Poloxamer 235, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Ascorbate, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Collagen Amino Acids, Collagen, Soluble Collagen, BHT, Disodium EDTA, BHA, Soluble Collagen Crosspolymer, Rosin Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Soy Hydrolyzed Collagen, Potassium Myristoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Potassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Bisabolol
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diisostearyl Malate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Chlorphenesin, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Retinyl Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Polysorbate 20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Retinol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tocopherol, BHT
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
