What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Water, Isopentyldiol, Jojoba Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Retinol, Squalane, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Glycine Soja Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Ergothioneine
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Carnosine, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Beeswax, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Decylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
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 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 TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholPhenoxyethanol 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.
Retinol 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. 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
