What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polysilicone-11
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-49
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Polysilicone-11, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Resveratrol, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-49, Ubiquinone, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Bisabolol, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Phospholipids, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinal, Retinol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Poloxamer 235
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
BHA
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glutathione
Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Triethylhexanoin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Polysorbate 60, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Poloxamer 235, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Retinol, Panthenol, Betaine, Allantoin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Ascorbate, Ectoin, Adenosine, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Bakuchiol, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, BHA, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glutathione, Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinDisodium 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 EDTAEpigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in green tea. It is a heavyweight antioxidant in the green tea family.
In skincare, it helps protect skin from photoaging damage by scavenging UV-induced reactive oxygen species and tampering down inflammatory pathways.
UV-exposed skin cells treated with EGCG showed less of the enzyme that chews up collagen, lower inflammatory signaling, and better preserved barrier function.
EGCG nudges skin cells to make more of your skin's built in moisturizing molecules, filaggrin and hyaluronic acid, for better skin hydration.
Because it inhibits melanogenesis, it also provides a mild brightening effect.
Clinically, topical EGCG has helped calm radiation-related skin irritation and scalp seborrheic dermatitis with no major side effects.
In an 8-week split-face study, topical EGCG at 1% and 5% significantly reduced inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne.
A study from 2023 on patients with Seborrhea (a chronic skin condition caused by overactive sebaceous glands) found that using a 5% EGCG cream (alone and combined with 2% L-carnitine) and found meaningful sebum reduction plus better hydration.
Just one caveat here: Most clinical trials used 1-5% concentrations and most cosmetics contain only 0.1-1%.
The only headache related to this ingredient is stability. EGCG degrades quickly with heat, light, oxygen, and higher pH.
That's why you'll usually see it in low-pH formulas (4.5-6.5) or paired with vitamin C + vitamin E to slow its degradation. Hyaluronic acid also stabilizes it and boosts its antioxidant activity.
Learn more about Epigallocatechin GallateGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Retinol 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 HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
