What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panax Quinquefolius Root Extract
AstringentRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientLecithin
Emollient
Triethylene Glycol
Masking
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Tocophersolan
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Water, Propylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Panax Quinquefolius Root Extract, Retinol, Retinal, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Lecithin, Triethylene Glycol, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Tocophersolan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Citric Acid, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentBHT
Antioxidant
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBHA
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polyglutamic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Retinol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cholesterol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, BHT, Punica Granatum Extract, Butylene Glycol, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, BHA, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCholesterol is a lipid that is naturally found in human skin and is one of the three key components of your skin barrier. In skincare, it is an emollient and barrier-repairing ingredient.
It works by fitting directly into the lipid layers of skin to help restore structure and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This is a great ingredient for dry, compromised, or aging skin; our skin starts to produce less cholesterol with age.
Research shows cholesterol works best in combination with ceramides and fatty acids, the other two major components in your skin barrier.
Cholesterol is also a well-establish penetration enhancer and can help other actives absorb more effectively.
Cosmetic-grade cholesterol is usually derived from lanolin but plant and synthetic options also exist. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about their source of cholesterol.
Learn more about CholesterolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolRetinol 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 RetinolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
