What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC15-19 Alkane
SolventEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientOctyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctenidine Hcl
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDisodium EDTA
Sodium Sulfite
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantKojic Dipalmitate
EmollientProdew 600
Tranexamic Acid
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Prunus Domestica
Skin ConditioningCystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingWater, C15-19 Alkane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Betaine, Octyldodecanol, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octenidine Hcl, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Kojic Dipalmitate, Prodew 600, Tranexamic Acid, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Triheptanoin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Triethanolamine
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsostearic Acid
CleansingC13-15 Alkane
SolventSilica
AbrasiveUndecane
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyapatite
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantStearic Acid
CleansingCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantJojoba Esters
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Zinc Oxide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isostearic Acid, C13-15 Alkane, Silica, Undecane, Tridecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Titanium Dioxide, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, C15-19 Alkane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyapatite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Chloride, CI 77491, Stearic Acid, CI 77220, CI 77492, Jojoba Esters, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C15-19 alkane is a mixture of alkanes. Alkanes are hydrocarbons with carbon atoms held together by single bonds.
It is a synthetically created solvent and emollient often used to replace silicones or mineral oil. As an emollient, C15-19 Alkane helps soften and soothe the skin. Emollients create a barrier to trap moisture inside.
You'll often see this ingredient used with mineral UV filters such as titanium dioxidide and zinc oxide. It helps these UV filter ingredients be more spreadable.
This ingredient is biodegradable. According to a manufacturer, it is also known as Hydrogenated Polyfarnesene.
Learn more about C15-19 AlkaneThis 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 TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
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