What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cellulose
Absorbent
Squalane
Emollient
Maltitol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Trioleate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Pullulan
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Apium Graveolens Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cellulose, Squalane, Maltitol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hydroxide, Sclerotium Gum, Sorbitan Trioleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pullulan, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Saccharide Isomerate, Silica, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Sphingolipids, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Silybum Marianum Ethyl Ester
Skin ConditioningBrassica Alcohol
Emollient
C15-19 Alkane
SolventGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Maltitol
HumectantPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentHelichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicBellis Perennis Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
PCA
Humectant
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingPullulan
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingWater, Triheptanoin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Silybum Marianum Ethyl Ester, Brassica Alcohol, C15-19 Alkane, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Propanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Maltitol, Punica Granatum Extract, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Bellis Perennis Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Myristyl Alcohol, PCA, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Lysolecithin, Pullulan, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol
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 TriglycerideCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 LecithinWe don't have a description for Maltitol yet.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenethyl Alcohol is a colorless and aromatic alohol. It is naturally occuring in essential oils.
The scent of this ingredient is floral and often compared to rose.
Like other alcohols, this ingredient helps prevent the growth of bacteria. However, its main purpose is to impact a fragrance.
Learn more about Phenethyl AlcoholPropanediol 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 PropanediolPullulan is a low viscosity polysaccharide (a long chain carbohydrate) with binding and film forming properties when dissolved in water. It is used to create a "silicone-like" or silky feel in cosmetics without adding viscosity.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's ability to easily dissolves makes it a great carrier for active ingredients.
Due to it being edible and tasteless, you'll likely find this ingredient in breath freshener strips. This ingredient is produced from the starch of the fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans.
Pullulan is stable over a broad-range of pH.
Learn more about PullulanSclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumWater. 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
