What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingDibutyl Adipate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingBakuchiol
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Alginate
Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Dibutyl Adipate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Retinol, Potassium Hydroxide, Bakuchiol, Polysorbate 20, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Acacia Senegal Gum, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Propylene Glycol Alginate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPei-10
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPEG-75 Stearate
Ceteareth-20
CleansingHydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentLauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningBHA
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Triethylhexanoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Pei-10, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, BHT, PEG-75 Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Zea Mays Starch, Lauryl Laurate, BHA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Retinol 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 HyaluronateWater. 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