What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingMaris Aqua
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Marrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract
MaskingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Crocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingPhytic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Mica, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77891, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Stearate, Silica, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Citrate, Maris Aqua, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose Cocoate, Butylene Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Benzoate, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal
Water
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
Abrasive
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Corn Starch Modified
AbsorbentOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSqualane
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingIron Oxides
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coconut Alkanes, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Corn Starch Modified, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopherol, Propylene Carbonate, Squalane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Iron Oxides, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin (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 GlycerinSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HydroxideTocopherol 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
