What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Kojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactobacillus/Collagen Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Collagen Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetyl Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dimethicone, Trideceth-6, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Kojic Dipalmitate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Bisabolol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Collagen Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Collagen Ferment Filtrate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-29, Hexapeptide-9, Lecithin, Alcohol, Retinol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetyl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT, Arginine, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Kojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Cetyl Acetate
Emollient
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Morus Alba Extract
AstringentLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycolic Acid, Kojic Dipalmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Trideceth-6, Sorbitan Laurate, 4-Butylresorcinol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Azelaic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Cetyl Acetate, Arbutin, Lecithin, Ceteareth-20, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Morus Alba Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Propylene Glycol, Arginine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinKojic Dipalmitate is an oil-soluble ester of Kojic Acid. It was created by bonding Kojic Acid with two Palmitic Acid chains to solve the instability of regular Kojic Acid.
This ingredient is able to stay stable across a wide pH range (~3-10) and easier to work with in formulations.
On the skin, the enzymes found in our skin cells break down this ingredient to release kojic acid where it then gets to work inhibiting melanin production. This makes it popular in products that target hyperpigmentation, dark spots, melasma, and uneven skin tone.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in concentrations between 0.4 - 4%. Research has shown it can be more effective when combined with ingredients like Acetyl Glucosamine, Alpha Arbutin, or Vitamin C.
Because Kojic Dipalmitate is lipophilic (fat-loving), it is usually incorporated into the oil phase of a formulation and functions as a mild emollient. It is also considered more gentle than kojic acid because it doesn't directly form hydrogen bonds with skin proteins in the same way,
However, be sure to patch test this ingredient if you have sensitivities to Kojic Acid or Palmitic Acid.
Due to the Palmitic Acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Kojic DipalmitateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateWe don't have a description for Trideceth-6 yet.
Water. 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
