What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAlmond/Borage/Linseed/Olive Acids/Glycerides
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientIsomalt
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract
PerfumingGamma-Nonalactone
MaskingIonone
AstringentElettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
MaskingCistus Ladaniferus Resin Extract
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingVanillin
MaskingViola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingHexenyl Acetate
MaskingAquilaria Agallocha Wood Oil
MaskingDimethylheptenal
PerfumingWater, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Propanediol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Almond/Borage/Linseed/Olive Acids/Glycerides, Sodium Benzoate, Panthenol, Caffeine, Niacinamide, Lauryl Glucoside, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Gluconate, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Dehydroacetic Acid, Lactic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isomalt, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract, Gamma-Nonalactone, Ionone, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Cistus Ladaniferus Resin Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vanillin, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Hexenyl Acetate, Aquilaria Agallocha Wood Oil, Dimethylheptenal
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningApium Graveolens Seed Extract
AntioxidantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate
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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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