What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Heterotheca Inuloides Flower Extract
MaskingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPoncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Brassica Napus Seedcake Extract
Skin ConditioningSr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1
Humectant
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Pullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Formate
Buffering
Sodium Glycolate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium PCA
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Triheptanoin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Heterotheca Inuloides Flower Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Brassica Napus Seedcake Extract, Sr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Phenoxyethanol, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Jojoba Esters, Silica, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Formate, Sodium Glycolate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium PCA, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPotassium 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.Â
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 BenzoateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
