What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTrimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Myristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Isosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-20
Cleansing
Bisabolol
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientLactic Acid
Buffering
Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Polysilicone-11
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingResveratrol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingParfum
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Myristyl Nicotinate, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Cetyl Palmitate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Retinal, Retinol, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Beta-Glucan, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Bacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ceteareth-20, Bisabolol, Polysorbate 20, Isohexadecane, Lactic Acid, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Ascorbic Acid, Propyl Gallate, PEG-40 Stearate, Polysilicone-11, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Resveratrol, Disodium EDTA, Aminomethyl Propanol, Parfum, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Retinol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Salicylic Acid, Sorbic Acid
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 an 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.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Phenoxyethanol 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 RetinolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
