What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Swertia Chirata Extract
HumectantSqualene
Emollient
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Polyglucuronic Acid
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylamide
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingJojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water
Skin ConditioningAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-51 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol, Swertia Chirata Extract, Squalene, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Polyglucuronic Acid, Polyacrylamide, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Phytosterols, Lecithin, Laureth-7, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Isopropyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Glycerin, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Water, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-51 Amide
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Undecane
EmollientArginine
Masking
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCeteareth-20
CleansingTridecane
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Pullulan
Tetrapeptide-21
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Pentapeptide-18
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCopper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pantolactone
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Butylene Glycol, Undecane, Arginine, Inulin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Ceteareth-20, Tridecane, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Pullulan, Tetrapeptide-21, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, Oligopeptide-1, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Sucrose Palmitate, Cetyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Carnosine, Sodium Metabisulfite, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Pantolactone, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, T-Butyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Phenylpropanol
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 BenzoateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
