What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Cholesterol
Emollient
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceteth-3
EmulsifyingCeteth-5
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol
Cleansing
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Phenyl Trimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Retinal, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Synthetic Beeswax, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Palmitic Acid, Polyisobutene, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Cholesterol, Bakuchiol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Adenosine, Ceteth-3, Ceteth-5, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sorbitan Oleate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Allantoin, Madecassoside, Ceramide NP, Retinol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol
Water
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Ceteareth-33
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Benzoic Acid
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantOenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Oleoyl Dipeptide-15
Skin Conditioning
Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientWater, Triethylhexanoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ceteareth-20, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Ceteareth-33, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Benzoic Acid, BHT, Caramel, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Oleoyl Dipeptide-15, Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31, Phenoxyethanol, CI 17200, Retinal, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77891, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Glucoside
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerThis 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 TriglycerideDisodium 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 EDTARetinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about RetinalSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
