What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantOleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol Dicaprylate
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPotassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
CleansingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Linoleate
AntioxidantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAlgae Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Dehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantLactic Acid
BufferingSucrose Laurate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSucrose Stearate
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol Dicaprylate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Algae Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, CI 77288, Lactic Acid, Sucrose Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Sucrose Stearate, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientMethyl Perfluorobutyl Ether
SolventMethyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Propanediol
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPerfluorohexane
SolventPotassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingSodium Glycolate
BufferingPerfluoroperhydrophenanthrene
Skin ConditioningPerfluorodecalin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPerfluorodimethylcyclohexane
SolventMica
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cetyl Alcohol, Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ceramide NP, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Xanthan Gum, Perfluorohexane, Potassium Cocoate, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Sodium Glycolate, Perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene, Perfluorodecalin, Sodium Hydroxide, Perfluorodimethylcyclohexane, Mica, Propylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, 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.
This 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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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 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 BenzoateWater. 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