What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCysteamine Hcl
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyacrylate-13
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientRetinal
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientMannitol
HumectantBisabolol
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTriethylene Glycol
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Propanediol, Cysteamine Hcl, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate-13, Arachidyl Alcohol, Retinal, Madecassoside, Allantoin, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyisobutene, Phosphatidylcholine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Mannitol, Bisabolol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Chlorphenesin, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Triethylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lecithin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Squalane
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentRetinal
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingWater, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Squalane, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Retinol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Tromethamine, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Retinal, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Madecassoside, Centella Asiatica Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMadecassoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.
Madecassoside has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties. It contains fatty acids, amino acids, beta-carotene, and phytochemicals.
One study found using Madecassoside with ascorbic acid helped reduce the signs of aging and improved skin hydration.
Learn more about MadecassosideRetinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about RetinalWater. 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 Water