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 ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientMethylsilanol Acetyltyrosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPPG-16
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningTriacontanyl Pvp
HumectantBalanites Roxburghii Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Glycerin, Dibutyl Adipate, Methylsilanol Acetyltyrosine, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, PPG-16, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polysorbate 80, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Triacontanyl Pvp, Balanites Roxburghii Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, P-Anisic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
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 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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