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
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
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
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingBHT
Antioxidant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glutathione
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methyl Trimethicone, Trehalose, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Parfum, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Sulfite, Allantoin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Palmitic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinol, Dextrin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Madecassoside, Tranexamic Acid, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, BHT, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Glutathione, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinRetinol 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 RetinolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTranexamic Acid (TXA) is a synthetic lysine derivative that is becoming one of the most exciting brightening ingredients in skincare.
Originally used in medicine as an anti-hemorrhagic agent, its skin brightening potential was discovered by accident; patients taking it orally started noticing their melasma was fading.
Unlike most brighteners that target tyrosinase (the enzyme that synthesizes melanin), TXA works further upstream. It basically blocks your cells from receiving the signal to produce pigment.
This makes it one of the rare actives that works on three pathways at once:
This makes it effective for treating melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and sun-induced dark spots.
The most effective cosmetic concentration sits between 2-5% and going higher doesn't boost results.
Side effects are generally mild; occasional irritation, flaking, or dryness have been reported at the start of use. Overall, this ingredient is pretty well tolerated, even by sensitive skin types.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it does not cause photosensitivity, so it's safe to use in the AM and PM.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidWater. 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
