What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingErythritol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycerin, Water, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Propanediol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Erythritol, Lecithin, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Coco-Sulfate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantNelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialActinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPhormium Tenax Extract
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Decyl Glucoside, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract, Squalane, Phormium Tenax Extract, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Calcium Gluconate, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Coumarin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium 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 SorbateJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSodium 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