What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventTocopherol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Colloidal Gold
AntimicrobialRhododendron Ferrugineum Leaf Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Phalaenopsis Amabilis Extract
HumectantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsomalt
HumectantLecithin
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Colloidal Gold, Rhododendron Ferrugineum Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Phalaenopsis Amabilis Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk, Lactic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isomalt, Lecithin, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylyl Glycol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Behenyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPassiflora Incarnata Seed Oil
Skin Protecting
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Mukul Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingNannochloropsis Oculata Extract
HumectantDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingNylon-12
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Citrate
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Linalool
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Passiflora Incarnata Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Nylon-12, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Dipropylene Glycol, Parfum, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Chlorphenesin, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, CI 42090
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 TriglycerideChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 CitrateTocopherol 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
