What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCera Alba
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantMethylpropanediol
SolventFructose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentSucrose
HumectantUrea
BufferingAlanine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantHexyl Nicotinate
EmollientLecithin
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Glyceryl Oleate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cera Alba, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Panthenol, Hexylene Glycol, Magnesium Sulfate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Ubiquinone, Methylpropanediol, Fructose, Glucose, Dextrin, Sucrose, Urea, Alanine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingUbiquinone
AntioxidantSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingTannic Acid
AstringentChlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment
Skin ConditioningColeus Forskohlii Root Extract
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Dicaprylyl Ether, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Parfum, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Benzoic Acid, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Ubiquinone, Sodium Anisate, Alcohol Denat., Citronellol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Caffeine, Benzyl Alcohol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Tannic Acid, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/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 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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 AcetateUbiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) is a molecule already found in our bodies. It is a potent antioxidant and skin-soothing ingredient.
Aging and environmental exposure diminishes our skin's natural ubiquinone levels. This is much like our natural collagen and elastin.
The good news is: studies show applying this ingredient topically replenishes ubiquinone levels in our skin. This also comes with a ton of skin benefits. These benefits include:
Ubiquinone is considered a large molecule and cannot be absorbed into the lower layers of skin. This is why it is believed to be such an effective antioxidant: it protects our skin in the upper layers and prevents damage in the deeper layers.
When used in sunscreen, ubiquinone is shown to increase ingredient stability, increase SPF factor, and add to infrared protection.
Fun fact: ubiquinone is fat-soluble.
Learn more about UbiquinoneWater. 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