What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingOleic Acid
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxycitronellal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propanediol, Ethoxydiglycol, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxycitronellal, Geraniol, Citronellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCamphor
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Camphor, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone
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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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