What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSorghum Bicolor Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Hexanediol
SolventCamellia Japonica Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Phytoplacenta Extract
HumectantEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Caprylate
EmulsifyingXylitol
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sh-Pentapeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Water, Aspergillus Ferment, Sorghum Bicolor Leaf/Stem Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Methyl Gluceth-20, Hexanediol, Camellia Japonica Callus Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Phytoplacenta Extract, Ectoin, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phytosterols, Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Caprylate, Xylitol, Chlorphenesin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ubiquinone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Arginine, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sh-Pentapeptide-5
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Usnea Barbata Extract
Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPulsatilla Koreana Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Extract, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Aspergillus Ferment, Hyaluronic Acid, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Cyclodextrin, Sclerotium Gum, C12-16 Alcohols, Palmitic Acid, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycine Soja Sterols, Behenyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Adenosine, Phenethyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Linalool, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aspergillus Ferment is created when Aspergillus fungi is fermented under controlled conditions. This is the same fungi used to make sake, miso, and soy sauce.
The fungi breaks down to produce a mix of enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and bioactive compounds during fermentation.
One such compound is kojic acid; kojic acid is widely considered a gentler alternative to hydroquinone. You should know: the amount of kojic acid in Aspergillus Ferment will vary depending on species used and how the fermentation was done.
There's an in-vitro study from 2019 found that ceramide-like compounds from Aspergillus luchuensis helped skin cells turn on the genes related to barrier repair and moisture retention. Just keep in mind this was tested on cells in a lab and not on actual people's faces.
If you're someone who deals with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis), you might want to instinctively want to skip this ingredient.
That's understandable since it is derived from a fungus. It's worth knowing that Aspergillus and Malassezia are completely different organisms and there's no research suggesting that Aspergillus Ferment feeds or worsens malassezia overgrowth on the skin.
However, if you're actively managing fungal acne, being cautious with any new ingredient is reasonable.
Learn more about Aspergillus FermentButylene 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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidLecithin 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 LecithinWater. 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
