What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Squalene
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Fullerenes
AntimicrobialBHT
Antioxidant
BHA
Antioxidant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantSqualane
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Polycaprolactone
StabilisingTerminalia Arjuna Extract
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Biotinoyl Hexapeptide-2 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Heptasodium Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
Emollient
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Psoralea Corylifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingTocopherol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Magnesium Silicate
Squalane, Diisostearyl Malate, Ceresin, Polyethylene, Mica, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Synthetic Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Retinol, Oleic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Lecithin, Polycaprolactone, Terminalia Arjuna Extract, Ubiquinone, Astaxanthin, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Bakuchiol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Ceramide NP, Biotinoyl Hexapeptide-2 Amide, Heptasodium Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12, Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Psoralea Corylifolia Seed Extract, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Sodium Magnesium Silicate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.
This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.
Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2Caprylic/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 TriglycerideDiisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
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 RetinolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
