What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTapioca Starch
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
EmollientXylose
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantMannitol
HumectantRhamnose
HumectantXylitol
HumectantAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Tapioca Starch, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Xylose, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Magnesium Sulfate, Pentylene Glycol, Squalane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Polyglutamate, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Mannitol, Rhamnose, Xylitol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Fructooligosaccharides
Water
Skin ConditioningC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantCellulose
AbsorbentZinc PCA
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingWater, C10-18 Triglycerides, Panthenol, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Ether, Cetearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Coco-Caprylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium PCA, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Cellulose, Zinc PCA, Ceramide NP, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Bisabolol, Sodium Benzoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Gluconate, Lactic Acid
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
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolHelianthus 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 OilWater. 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