What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycereth-26
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventVp/Va Copolymer
Methylpropanediol
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Antioxidant
Paeonia Suffruticosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Mannitol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Vp/Va Copolymer, Methylpropanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Glyceryl Glucoside, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Water, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Soluble Collagen, Phospholipids, Ergothioneine, Retinol, Retinal, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Mannitol, Propylene Glycol, Ubiquinone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Cholesterol, Oligopeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Ceramide NP, EDTA
Reviews
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
