What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Poloxamer 235
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEpigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
BHA
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Betaine, Polyglycerin-3, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Allantoin, Poloxamer 235, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Retinol, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Epigallocatechin Gallate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, BHA, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Honey
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylamide
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingViola Tricolor Extract
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Sargassum Fulvellum Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Brassica Campestris Flower Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentCosmos Sulphureus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Kobus Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dextran
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Honey, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Ferulic Acid, Panthenol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Viola Tricolor Extract, Laureth-7, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Sargassum Fulvellum Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Brassica Campestris Flower Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Cosmos Sulphureus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Magnolia Kobus Flower Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Retinol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dextran, Sodium Metabisulfite, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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 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 RetinolWater. 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
