What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
C13-15 Alkane
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Oleyl Erucate
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCeratonia Siliqua Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, C13-15 Alkane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Oleyl Erucate, Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Parfum, Lauroyl Lysine, Zea Mays Starch, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Sodium Phytate, Glycine Soja Oil, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract, Limonene, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningTribehenin PEG-20 Esters
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Polysilicone-11
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tranexamic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Behenate, Alcohol, Polysilicone-11, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cholate, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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
