What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Propanediol
Solvent
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Sargassum Filipendula Extract
Skin ProtectingLecithin
Emollient
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dextran
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Olivate, Propanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Phytosterols, Glyceryl Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Sargassum Filipendula Extract, Lecithin, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Gluconate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Sorbitan Oleate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Dextran, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Sorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentPropanediol
Solvent
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Xylityl Sesquicaprylate
Antimicrobial
Cetearyl Olivate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingIron Oxides
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Algin
Masking
Glyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Calcium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingResveratrol
Antioxidant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Distarch Phosphate, Propanediol, Oleic Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Sorbitan Olivate, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Benzoate, Decyl Glucoside, Linoleic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Bisabolol, Lauryl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Iron Oxides, Anhydroxylitol, Algin, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bentonite, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caffeine, Mica, CI 77163, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Calcium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Resveratrol, Sodium Metabisulfite
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateBisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololThis 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 TriglycerideCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan 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 feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateThis ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier.
Due to its thick oil / waxy texture, it has emollient properties. Emollients help hydrate skin by creating a thin film. This film prevents moisture from escaping.
Glyceryl Undecylenate is created from glycerin and undecylenic acid.
Undecylenic Acid is a fungal treatment, but is not as effective as newer medications.
Some people who have sensitive skin may find this ingredient to trigger Malassezia folliculitis, but not everyone will react to it.
Learn more about Glyceryl UndecylenatePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 BenzoateSorbitan 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 feed that yeast, so it 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 Water
