What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Salicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingLysine
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
BufferingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingMannitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantAndrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract
AstringentRhamnose
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPotassium Phosphate
BufferingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHexapeptide-2
BleachingLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Squalane, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, C14-22 Alcohols, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Lysine, Azelaic Acid, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Disodium Phosphate, Mannitol, Xylitol, Andrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract, Rhamnose, Sodium Metabisulfite, Potassium Phosphate, Saccharide Isomerate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate, Fructooligosaccharides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hexapeptide-2, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingUrea
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Water
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Urea, Glycerin, Diheptyl Succinate, Sodium Citrate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Sodium PCA, Retinol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylyl Glycol, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Behenyl Alcohol, C20-22 Alcohols, Citric Acid, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, T-Butyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
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 GlycolThis 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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