What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Myristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Bacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-11
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyisobutene
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Triheptanoin, Propanediol, Myristyl Nicotinate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Coconut Alkanes, Squalane, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ectoin, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Retinol, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Beta-Glucan, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Behenate, Bisabolol, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosterols, Polysilicone-11, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Propyl Gallate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Silica, Ascorbic Acid, Parfum, BHT, Citric Acid, Tin Oxide, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-16 Isoparaffin
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientHeptyl Undecylenate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Vitis Vinifera
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Glycerin, Diheptyl Succinate, Heptyl Undecylenate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Propanediol, Vitis Vinifera, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bakuchiol, Tocopherol, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Butylene Glycol, Retinol, Allantoin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Reviews
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPropanediol 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 PropanediolRetinol 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 RetinolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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 Water
