This anti-aging day moisturizer is formulated around Squalane and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 to soften the look of wrinkles.
This brightening moisturizer is formulated around Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate and Retinyl Palmitate to brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingXylitylglucoside
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDimethiconol
EmollientXylitol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantHarungana Madagascariensis Extract
Skin ConditioningMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingBalanites Roxburghii Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingUlex Europaeus Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Bark Extract
MaskingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Mica, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, CI 77891, Polysorbate 60, Carbomer, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xylitylglucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Anhydroxylitol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethiconol, Xylitol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glucose, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Balanites Roxburghii Seed Oil, Phenethyl Alcohol, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Ulex Europaeus Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Punica Granatum Bark Extract, CI 14700, CI 17200, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC13-15 Alkane
SolventCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTribehenin
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSilica
AbrasiveSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientShorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Isostearate
CleansingSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingTetrapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-15 Alkane, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Diglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Tribehenin, Propanediol, Silica, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Mica, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Citric Acid, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, CI 77891, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Retinyl Palmitate, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Isostearate, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Tetrapeptide-4, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Tocopherol, CI 14700
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 TriglycerideCi 14700, also known as Red No. 4, is a synthetic red dye derived from petroleum. It is water soluble.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Glycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPolysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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 Water