What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialDextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium DNA
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Trehalose, Butylene Glycol, Coptis Japonica Extract, Dextrin, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phosphatidylcholine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Ceramide NP, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium DNA, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Glycine, Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles, Glutamic Acid, Serine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Proline, Threonine, Hydrogenated Lecithin
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingMaris Aqua
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Algin
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sucrose
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Maris Aqua, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Gluconate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Algin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sucrose, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Sodium Anisate, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/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 TriglycerideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 LecithinLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
