What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol Dicaprylate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Succinoglycan
Skin ConditioningAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil, Water, Propanediol Dicaprylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Pentylene Glycol, C12-16 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Myristyl Myristate, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Jojoba Esters, Sclerotium Gum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Phospholipids, Retinol, Succinoglycan, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Arginine
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Retinol 0.08%
Skin Conditioning
Aspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Glucose
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bakuchiol, C14-22 Alcohols, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Oryza Sativa Extract, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Disodium EDTA, Retinol 0.08%, Aspergillus Ferment, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Ceramide NP, Dipropylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Glucose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cyclodextrin
Reviews
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 a lightweight 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. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinRetinol 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
