What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Potassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingPetrolatum
Emollient
Hydrogenated Palm Oil
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Maltitol
HumectantBeheneth-20
EmulsifyingElaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyvinyl Alcohol
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion Stabilising
Parfum
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Trisodium EDTA
PPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Citronellol
Perfuming
Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingLamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Inositol
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Cone Extract
Masking
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCellulose
AbsorbentCI 75130
Cosmetic ColorantCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Betaine, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Petrolatum, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Maltitol, Beheneth-20, Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Microcrystalline Wax, Parfum, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol, Caffeine, Potassium Hydroxide, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Trisodium EDTA, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Limonene, Tocopherol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citronellol, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Inositol, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Retinyl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cellulose, CI 75130, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Citric Acid, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningIsocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Linoleate
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polysilicone-8
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Isocetyl Stearate, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caffeine, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Retinol, Retinyl Linoleate, Adenosine, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Polysilicone-8, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeGlycerin 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 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 Water
