What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ascorbic Acid
AntioxidantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingBisabolol
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventVitex Agnus-Castus Fruit Oil
MaskingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientViola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Microcrystalline Wax, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Tocopherol, Silica, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Olivate, Bisabolol, Propylene Carbonate, Vitex Agnus-Castus Fruit Oil, Trihydroxystearin, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Allantoin, Panthenol, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCanola Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Water
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Oil
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Dipropylene Glycol, Canola Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Sorbitan Tristearate, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Adenosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineCaprylic/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 TriglycerideHelianthus 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 OilNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateWater. 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