What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cyclotetrasiloxane
Emollient
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Propylene 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 ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglyceryl-10 Esters
EmollientBetaine
Humectant
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Squalane
Emollient
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingRetinyl Propionate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningAroma
Quaternium-73
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglyceryl-10 Esters, Betaine, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Squalane, Madecassoside, Retinol, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Xanthan Gum, Aminomethyl Propanol, Retinyl Propionate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Aroma, Quaternium-73, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 AllantoinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolGlycerin 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 GlycerinPentylene 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.
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 RetinolWater. 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
