What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate
Emulsifying
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Squalane, Triolein, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Tranexamic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Phospholipids, Retinol, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tapioca Starch
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMethylglucoside Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCopper Lysinate/Prolinate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tapioca Starch, Phenoxyethanol, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cyclodextrin, Sodium Gluconate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Methylglucoside Phosphate, Copper Lysinate/Prolinate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Caprylyl Glycol, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
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 an 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.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 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 RetinolThis is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateWater. 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 Water
