What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientEthyl Oleate
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthyl Linoleate
EmollientEthyl Stearate
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMyristyl Glucoside
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Lactate
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHA
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Squalane, Propanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Ethyl Oleate, Retinol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Phospholipids, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Ethyl Linoleate, Ethyl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Lauryl Glucoside, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Myristyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, BHA, BHT, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideRetinol 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 Retinol