What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Squalane
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Squalane, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Retinol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Tromethamine, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Retinal, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Madecassoside, Centella Asiatica Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Apricot Kernel Oil PEG-6 Esters
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Aspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Honey Extract
Humectant
Tetrapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sucrose Palmitate
EmollientGlutathione
Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Capric Acid
Cleansing
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingBHT
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Alcohol, Retinol, Apricot Kernel Oil PEG-6 Esters, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Niacinamide, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Honey Extract, Tetrapeptide-14, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sucrose Palmitate, Glutathione, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Linoleate, Polysorbate 20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Decyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Capric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, BHT, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, 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.
This ingredient is a lightweight 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. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinRetinol 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 RetinolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
