What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Anigozanthos Flavidus Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Capsicum Annuum Fruit Meristem Cell
Antioxidant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Marrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract
MaskingBalanites Roxburghii Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Mitracarpus Scaber Extract
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Emarginata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningCoumarin
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, CI 77891, Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Anigozanthos Flavidus Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethiconol, Betaine, Sorbitol, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Meristem Cell, Tin Oxide, T-Butyl Alcohol, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Balanites Roxburghii Seed Oil, Mitracarpus Scaber Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, CI 14700, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal, Coumarin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Polysilicone-11
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingBis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-20
CleansingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Niacinamide, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, Silica, Propanediol, Polysilicone-11, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Ceteareth-20, Caffeine, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Adenosine, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Boron Nitride, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Chlorphenesin
Reviews
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 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 TriglycerideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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 Water
