What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientEthoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
MaskingPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Physalis Angulata Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethiconol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, BHT, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Metabisulfite
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol 0.3%
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Sodium Sulfite
PreservativeDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantLauric Acid
CleansingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Retinol 0.3%, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Sulfite, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Allantoin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Propanediol, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Tocotrienols, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Palmitic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Myristic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Lauric Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Retinol 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