What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCoco-Caprylate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientTribehenin PEG-20 Esters
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingRetinal
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Retinoate
Skin ConditioningSodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate
Jojoba Esters
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantMannitol
HumectantPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPhosphoric Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters, Silica, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Betaine, Panthenol, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Retinal, Retinyl Retinoate, Sodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Phosphoric Acid, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide
Cis-Retinoic Acid 8%
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSqualane 3%
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingLz1 Peptide 2%
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSucrose Polystearate
EmollientHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantDisodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningCetyl Palmitate
EmollientLecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPantolactone
HumectantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate
Skin ConditioningCis-Retinoic Acid 8%, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Squalane 3%, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Lz1 Peptide 2%, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycerin, Sucrose Polystearate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Cetyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sclerotium Gum, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Pantolactone, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate
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 TriglycerideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum