What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBoswellia Serrata Gum
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Bisabolol
Masking
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Alcohol Denat., Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Retinol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Isohexadecane, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Sodium Citrate, Boswellia Serrata Gum, Polysorbate 80, BHT, Dimethiconol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Bisabolol, Sorbitan Oleate, Citric Acid, Propyl Gallate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientAlgae Extract
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Gelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingCholesterol
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Octadecene
SolventYeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylyl Methicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Stearyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Arachidyl Alcohol, Algae Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Retinol, Lactis Proteinum, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Caffeine, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Cholesterol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Behenyl Alcohol, Octadecene, Yeast Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Bisulfite, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCaprylyl 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 GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconePhenoxyethanol 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 RetinolSorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol.
It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together, such as oils and water.
According to a manufacturer, the ingredient Sorbitan Monooleate shares an INCI name with this one.
Sorbitan Oleate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also worsen oily skin.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateWater. 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
