What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventStearic Acid
Cleansing
Tromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Diphenyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide
Antioxidant
Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycereth-26, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Octyldodecanol, Panthenol, Trehalose, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Glucose, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Palmitic Acid, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Bakuchiol, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Stearic Acid, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Sodium Phytate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Carnosine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Nonapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Trametes Versicolor Extract
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMelatonin
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventMethylheptylglycerin
HumectantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Melatonin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Linoleic Acid, Phytosterols, Phospholipids, Jojoba Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Methylheptylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid
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 TriglycerideDimethyl Isosorbide is a low-irritation solvent that helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from glucose.
Research shows how well this ingredient works depends on the active and formulation rather than the concentration alone. This means adding more Dimethyl Isosorbide does not guarantee better penetration of ingredients into the skin.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is a retinoid. It usually goes by a more common name: "Granactive".
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes retinol and tretinoin.
Retinoids have been proven to:
So what is the difference between all the retinoids?
Most retinoids need to go through a conversion line to become effective on skin. The ending product is retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is AKA tretinoin.
HPR is an ester of tretinoin. Emerging studies suggest HPR to have an added benefit that other retinoids don't have: Low irritation.
A study from 2021 found HPR to have the greatest stability when exposed to light and temperature out of all the commercial retinoids.
A note about naming:
The name "Granactive" is the trade name and the name most commonly used on packages.
Granactive is the name of the mixture - about 90% solvent and 10% HPR. A product with 5% granactive has 0.5% HPR.
Learn more about Hydroxypinacolone RetinoatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol (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.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
