What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Water
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCedrus Deodara Wood Oil
Masking
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Borago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Copaifera Officinalis Resin
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Zanthoxylum Schinifolium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Oil
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Glyceryl Linoleate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Water, Panthenol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Linolenate, Folic Acid, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Cedrus Deodara Wood Oil, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Borago Officinalis Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Niacinamide, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Zanthoxylum Schinifolium Leaf Extract, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Citrus Nobilis Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientAmber Powder
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Vigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Water, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Amber Powder, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene
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
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/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 TriglycerideCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis oil is derived from the leaves of Eucalyptus Globulus, a type of Eucalyptus tree native to Australia.
Though this oil shows antibacterial and antioxidant activity, it is also a known skin-irritant due to its fragrance components.
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate is a synthetic, oil-loving helper ingredient that does two jobs:
This ingredient is made by joining three building blocks: PEG, Isostearic Acid and glycerin. The PEG gives it the oil-and-water blending power.
This ingredient has been found safe for use in cosmetics and broader PEG family testing shows minimal irritation/sensitization. The molecule's large size also means it isn't expected to penetrate skin to any meaningful degree.
Fungal acne note: This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to isostearic acid (C18). Isostearic acid falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about PEG-20 Glyceryl TriisostearateTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
