What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Imidazolidinyl Urea, EDTA, Carbomer, Persea Gratissima Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Codium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingTripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture
Antioxidant
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Tricaprylin
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
BHT
Antioxidant
Magnesium Chloride
Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isocetyl Stearate, Retinol, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Tripeptide-1, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Tricaprylin, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Xanthan Gum, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Chlorphenesin, BHT, Magnesium Chloride
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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Phenoxyethanol 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
