What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
EmulsifyingThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Squalane
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Propanediol
SolventSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-6
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberCetyl Palmitate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Oxide, Isononyl Isononanoate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Squalane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Jojoba Esters, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propanediol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Polyglycerin-6, Glycerin, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Cetyl Palmitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Maltodextrin, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Citric Acid, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77891
Lippia Citrodora Leaf Water
Squalane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeLevulinic Acid
PerfumingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingButyloctanol
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePichia Ferment Lysate Filtrate
HumectantCetyl Palmitate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBacopa Monnieri Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Oxide
AbsorbentAlumina
AbrasiveGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantLippia Citrodora Leaf Water, Squalane, CI 77891, Dicaprylyl Ether, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Boron Nitride, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, CI 77492, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycerin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Levulinic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Levulinate, Water, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Butyloctanol, Potassium Sorbate, Pichia Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Cetyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Stearate, Polysorbate 80, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Bacopa Monnieri Extract, Magnesium Oxide, Alumina, Glycine Soja Oil, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, CI 77491, 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.
Butyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateCaprylic/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 TriglycerideCetyl Palmitate is a wax-ester that pulls triple duty as an emollient, thickener, and emulsion enhancer.
It helps enhance the texture of products by giving a smooth, silky feel while helping to stabilize the formula. The emollient action softens skin and reduces moisture loss.
This ingredient is considered safe and human testing of concentrations between 2.5-2.7% were found minimal irritation. Just know, there have been very rare cases of the palmitate family causing contact dermatitis.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it contains a C16 ester (palmitic acid) that falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about Cetyl PalmitateCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10 is a peptide.
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate isn't fungal acne safe.
Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.
It reduces the surface tension between oil and water phases to help them stay mixed and stable in a formulation. In other words, it prevents your formulas from separating into an oily mess.
The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the scientific data and found this ingredient to be safe, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing at concentrations up to 5% (it's even approved by the FDA as an OTC eye drop ingredient).
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 BenzoateSorbitan Stearate is an emulsifier made by reacting sorbitol with stearic acid.
It's mostly used to keep oil and water mixed so your formulas stay smooth and stable.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has found 4% of this ingredient in repeat-insult patch tests on humans to be non-sensitizing. There is a caveat that some reactions have shown up in patients with damaged or diseased skin.
Because it is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it falls into the C11-24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize. This means this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan StearateSqualane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about SqualaneTocopherol 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