What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCoconut Alkanes
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAvena Sativa Bran Extract
AbrasiveAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasivePolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Coconut Alkanes, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Chlorphenesin, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Tin Oxide, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Parfum, Limonene, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantMethylpropanediol
SolventCetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Phenylpropanol
MaskingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Heptyl Undecylenate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Methylpropanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Distarch Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, Phenylpropanol, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
Manufacturers use the name Olivem 1000. This ingredient has been found to preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria. This ingredient is grouped with Sorbitan Olivate under the name Olivem 1000.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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