What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSea Silt
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Squalane
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Trioleate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Apium Graveolens Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Silica, Glycerin, Kaolin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sea Silt, Propanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, CI 77891, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Squalane, Tromethamine, Bisabolol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, CI 77007, CI 77288, Sorbitan Trioleate, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Kaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPolyacrylate-33
Hectorite
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Quartz
Abrasive
Lecithin
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil
Masking
Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Oil
Antimicrobial
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Abies Sibirica Oil
Masking
Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Cymbopogon Nardus Oil
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium Cocoyl Threoninate
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
ChelatingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Disiloxane, Sulfur, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Kaolin, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Polyacrylate-33, Hectorite, Butylene Glycol, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Quartz, Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Abies Sibirica Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Cocoyl Threoninate, Xanthan Gum, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylic/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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinTocopherol 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
