What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Taraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningGeranium Maculatum Extract
TonicXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Lecithin
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf, Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hyaluronic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pantothenic Acid, Tocopherol, Retinol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Propolis Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Glyceryl Stearates
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinol 0.1%
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Undecane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tridecane
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Myristyl Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, C14-22 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearates, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Retinol 0.1%, Allantoin, Arginine, Undecane, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Adenosine, Tridecane, Disodium EDTA, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Myristyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Carotene, Glucose, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Nonapeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Dipeptide-2, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilRetinol 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 RetinolTocopherol (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. Remember to 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
