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
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropanediol
Solvent
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysilicone-11
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dimethyl Mea
BufferingPetrolatum
Emollient
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Linoleate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Lipids
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantNephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrideceth-6 Phosphate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMagnesium Sulfate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Squalane, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Isoamyl Laurate, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Ceteareth-20, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Citric Acid, Dimethyl Mea, Petrolatum, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinol, Retinyl Linoleate, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Lipids, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Sodium Glucuronate, Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hydroxide, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosterols, Tocopherol, Copper Gluconate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Eugenol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 OilPentylene 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.
Polysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
Propanediol 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
