What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventCetyl Esters
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientAcacia Decurrens Flower Cera
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Cera
EmollientAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientLecithin
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSilica
AbrasivePullulan
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingVitreoscilla Ferment
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Ether, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Cetyl Esters, Jojoba Esters, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Behenyl Alcohol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Sclerotium Gum, Isohexadecane, Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Silica, Pullulan, Adenosine, Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Polysorbate 80, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolymethyl Methacrylate
Glycerin
HumectantC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentPPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientTricaprylin
PerfumingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Arginine
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenylpropanol
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingSorbitol
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Herb Oil
PerfumingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingVetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
MaskingBHT
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Methylpropanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Glycerin, C12-16 Alcohols, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Distarch Phosphate, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Palmitic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tricaprylin, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Olivate, Squalane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Retinol, Disodium EDTA, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenylpropanol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sorbitol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Herb Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, BHT, Ascorbic Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholCaprylic/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 TriglycerideCetearyl Isononanoate can be bad for oily skin.
Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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