What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Cetearyl Olivate
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, C14-22 Alcohols, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate-13, Cetearyl Olivate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Behenyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caffeine, Polyisobutene, Arachidyl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Allantoin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Adenosine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Copper Tripeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Olivate
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentWater, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Olivate, C14-22 Alcohols, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Copper Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolWe don't have a description for C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside yet.
This ingredient is a blend of long-chain fatty alcohols (myristyl, cetyl, stearyl, arachidyl, and behenyl). It is an emulsion stabilizer with emollient properties.
Don't let the word "alcohol" scare you: fatty alcohols are nothing like the drying solvents. This ingredient actually helps soften and smooth the skin.
By the way, the FDA allows products to be labeled "alcohol-free" even when they contain fatty alcohols like this one.
In a formula, it prevents the water and oil phases from separating over time while also contributing to a pleasant, non-greasy slip.
Interestingly, this ingredient can organize into the structures that mimic the skin's own lipid architecture to help support barrier function and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
The CIR Expert Panel has thoroughly assess the individual fatty alcohols that make up this blend and found no significant toxicity or dermal irritation.
Fungal acne: Research has shown the Malassezia can grow in the presence of fatty alcohols with the chain length between C12-24, making this ingredient not fungal acne safe.
Learn more about C14-22 AlcoholsCaprylic/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 TriglycerideCetearyl Olivate is a plant-derived emulsifier and texture enhancer. It helps keep the oil and water phases from separating so your formulas stay stable.
You'll likely see it combined with Sorbitan Olivate (together sold as the trade name Olivem 1000). This combination generates a liquid crystal structure that closely resemble the lipid organization of the stratum corneum.
These "skin-like" liquid crystals improve skin barrier integrity and promote the delivery of actives into the skin.
This ingredient is well-tolerated and has no significant sensitization data.
Because it is derived from the fatty acids in olive oil, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateEthylhexylglycerin 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.
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 HyaluronateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
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 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