What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructan
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSaponins
CleansingSoluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-3
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingStearyl Dimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantVinyldimethicone
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantOctadecene
SolventEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyacrylate-13
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventSodium Phosphate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlgin
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningDextran
Mineral Salts
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructan, Inulin, Panthenol, Betaine, Beta-Glucan, Adenosine, Saponins, Soluble Proteoglycan, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Nonapeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Pentapeptide-3, Hexapeptide-9, Oligopeptide-2, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Malt Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglycerin-3, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearyl Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Vinyldimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Octadecene, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyacrylate-13, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Cyanocobalamin, Arginine, Carbomer, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol, Propanediol, Sodium Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Algin, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Dextran, Mineral Salts, Disodium Phosphate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Silicate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningArbutin
AntioxidantGlutathione
Hydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningTranexamoyl Dipeptide-23
BleachingCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Sodium Silicate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Arbutin, Glutathione, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Tranexamoyl Dipeptide-23, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sh-Oligopeptide-1
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinTocopherol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum