What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Spiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentRosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Allium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin Conditioning
Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Saccharide Isomerate, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Jojoba Esters, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Caramel, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
Emulsifying
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolipids
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialCetyl Stearate
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingIsostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Isoamyl Laurate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Water, Glycolipids, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Cetyl Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Parfum
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
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 TriglycerideCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CapratePolyglyceryl-6 Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
