What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Sorbitol
Humectant
Citrus Species Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Pimpinella Anisum Extract
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
Antimicrobial
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Octyldodecanol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Zinc Oxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dimethicone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Salicylic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tromethamine, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sorbitol, Citrus Species Leaf Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Disodium EDTA, Pimpinella Anisum Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Sucrose Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Beta-Carotene, Myristyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Lauryl Alcohol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningCalamine
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Sodium Gluconate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract, Water, Calamine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Propanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Oleanolic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lauryl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Sodium Gluconate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sucrose Stearate
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
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 GlycolThis 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 TriglycerideCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCetyl 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 AlcoholCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateLauryl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol. It is derived from palm kernel oil or coconut oil.
Fatty alcohols are not the same as drying, volatile alcohols like alcohol denatured or ethanol; they're designed to be non-sensitizing and hydrating.
Lauryl alcohol pulls triple duty:
Because lauryl alcohol falls within the C11 - C24 carbon chain range that the Malassezia yeast (fungal acne) can metabolize, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Lauryl AlcoholMadecassoside is one of four active compounds found in Centella asiatica and is one of the main reasons Centella is so effective at calming irritated skin and supporting the moisture barrier.
There's a solid body of peer-reviewed research backing Madecassoside for several skin benefits. Studies have found:
Madecassoside pairs well with other hydrating or antioxidant ingredients like Ascorbic Acid or Hyaluronic Acid.
Learn more about MadecassosideMyristyl Alcohol is type of fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
As an emollient, myristyl alcohol hydrates the skin by trapping moisture in.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols.
The FDA allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Myristyl AlcoholPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholSucrose Stearate is derived from stearic acid and sucrose (sugar). It is an emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it prevents oils and water from separating in a product. This property also makes it a surfactant and therefore a cleansing agent.
Water. 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
