SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream Versus SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.

Isohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.

Sorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is a stable form of Vitamin C.

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

Ceresin is a wax derived from ozokerite. It is an alternative to beeswax.

Glycol Palmitate isn't fungal acne safe.

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Methyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant. Humectants help draw moisture from the air to your skin.

Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate is a form of retinoid and is an exfoliant. It can be good for be good for oily skin. It can help to improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, brighten skin, and fight acne.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is a 3-amino acid peptide. Peptides are building blocks for protein.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is a peptide. Peptides are building blocks for protein.

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.

Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) is a molecule already found in our bodies. It is a potent antioxidant and skin-soothing ingredient.

Tocopherol (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.

Bisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.

Tocopheryl 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.

Superoxide Dismutase is found in all living cells. This ingredient is AKA as 'SOD'.

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.

We don't have a description for Allantoin Glycyrrhetinic Acid yet.

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

This extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.

Linoleic Acid is Vitamin F and a fatty acid. It is an emollient and helps thicken texture. Linoleic acid helps with hydrating skin and nourishing the skin's barrier. The top layer of skin, or epidermis, contains high amounts of linoleic acid naturally.

Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.

Linolenic Acid is a fatty acid. Linolenic Acid helps condition and restore skin.

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate is a type of silica. It comes from naturally occuring minerals such as silicate ores and clay.

Dimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration.

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Peg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.

Steareth-2 is a waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients. It is created from polyethylene glycol and stearyl alcohol.

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Acacia Senegal Gum has skin soothing, thickening, and formulation stabilizing properties. It comes from the Acacia tree that is native to sub-Saharan Africa.

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

Hydrated Silica is a type of silicon dioxide. It is called 'hydrated silica' because it is silica with extra bonded water atoms.

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

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.

Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.