What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hexyldecanol
Emollient
Disiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
PPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Honey Extract
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Algae Extract
EmollientZingiber Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Phytate
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientPvp
Emulsion StabilisingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Triheptanoin, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hexyldecanol, Disiloxane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Diheptyl Succinate, Propylene Carbonate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Phenyl Trimethicone, Retinol, Ubiquinone, Honey Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Algae Extract, Zingiber Officinale Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phospholipids, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Lecithin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, 1,2-Hexanediol, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sorbitol, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Polysilicone-11, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Polysorbate 80, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Stearic Acid, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Pvp, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Artemisia Princeps Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Decapeptide-6
Antioxidant
Octapeptide-7
Skin Protecting
Oligopeptide-28
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-29
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-30
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-31
Antioxidant
Sh-Decapeptide-7
Antioxidant
Sh-Octapeptide-4
Antioxidant
Sh-Oligopeptide-9
Humectant
Sh-Pentapeptide-19
Skin Conditioning
Diamond Powder
Abrasive
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol
Cleansing
Benzyl Glycol
SolventCeteth-3
EmulsifyingCeteth-5
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Mannitol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Sucrose
Humectant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Niacinamide, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butylene Glycol, Water, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Tranexamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactic Acid, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Decapeptide-6, Octapeptide-7, Oligopeptide-28, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-30, Oligopeptide-31, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-9, Sh-Pentapeptide-19, Diamond Powder, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol, Benzyl Glycol, Ceteth-3, Ceteth-5, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Cetyl Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Mannitol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Silica, Zea Mays Starch, Sucrose, Acacia Senegal Gum, Octyldodeceth-16, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Cetearyl Glucoside
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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 RetinolSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a crosslinked version of sodium hyaluronate. This just means it's linked into a 3D mesh network that lets it be more stable and sit on skin as a cohesive, gel-like film rather than sinking into skin.
A 2016 human skin study found crosslinked HA increased epidermal water content by 7.6% over the control group and reduced transepidermal water loss by 27.8%.
A follow-up clinical trial found that a topical crosslinked HA serum applied after fillers, microneedling, or chemical peels was well-tolerated and enhanced skin quality at 14 / 28 days.
More recent research suggests that concentrations as low as 0.03% can act as a penetration enhancer for other skincare actives.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerTocopherol 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
