What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventTrilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBetaine
HumectantBisabolol
MaskingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Farnesol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingMethylpropanediol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialIris Florentina Flower Extract
EmollientBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Retinyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Betaine, Bisabolol, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Propylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Farnesol, Parfum, Methylpropanediol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Bakuchiol, Iris Florentina Flower Extract, Benzyl Salicylate
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingLaureth-23
CleansingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientTrideceth-6 Phosphate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingC18-36 Acid Glycol Ester
EmollientC18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-23, Cetyl Palmitate, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ceramide NP, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sorbitan Laurate, C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Retinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl PalmitateTocopherol (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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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