What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Chondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Phytic Acid
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Glycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Dealbata Flower Wax
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Wax
Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Wax
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Michelia Alba Leaf Oil
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Psilanthus Bengalensis Leaf Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Threonine
Valine
MaskingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Rubus Idaeus Leaf Cell Culture
Skin Conditioning3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid
Calcium Hydroxymethionine
Skin ConditioningDaphne Odora Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPollen Extract
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Magnesium Chloride
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
Antioxidant
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Glycerin, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Water, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Butylene Glycol, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Bisabolol, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phytic Acid, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Alcohol, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Coco-Glucoside, Glycoproteins, Acacia Dealbata Flower Wax, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Wax, Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Wax, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Glutamic Acid, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Psilanthus Bengalensis Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Threonine, Valine, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Benzoic Acid, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Cell Culture, 3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid, Calcium Hydroxymethionine, Daphne Odora Callus Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pollen Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, Plankton Extract, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Magnesium Chloride, Biotin, Tocopherol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycol Palmitate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientJojoba Esters
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Palmitate/Succinate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycine
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pullulan
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Lecithin
Emollient
Phytic Acid
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Triacetin
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycol Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cholesterol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Palmitate/Succinate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Urea, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Carnosine, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Pullulan, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethyl Citrate, Silica, Lecithin, Phytic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Triacetin, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Phytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells. Phytic Acid has a slight and mild exfoliating effect.
The chemical makeup makes it classified as an AHA, much like lactic acid.
In some cases, it is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water, helping to stabilize the ingredients in a product.
An interesting fact about phytic acid is that it is considered an antinutrient. People do not have the enzyme needed to properly breakdown and digest phytic acid. When ingested, phytic acid binds to minerals and prevents them from being absorbed.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Phytic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
