What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventCetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ceteareth-12
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carrageenan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sucrose Laurate
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Isoceteth-20
EmulsifyingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Disodium EDTA
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethyl Linoleate, Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Bisabolol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinol, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Cetyl Palmitate, Sucrose Laurate, Polysorbate 20, Isoceteth-20, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Disodium EDTA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-21
CleansingPEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Stabilising
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientElaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Panax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Raffinose
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
BHA
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 60, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Methylpropanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, BHT, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Steareth-21, PEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyacrylamide, Steareth-2, Isohexadecane, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Carbomer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Tromethamine, Palmitic Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Stearic Acid, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Benzophenone-4, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycosyl Trehalose, Beta-Glucan, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Laureth-7, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Raffinose, Lecithin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, BHA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Myristic Acid, Folic Acid, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Disodium Phosphate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Tocopherol, Sodium Phosphate, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/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 TriglycerideDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 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 a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
