What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose
Absorbent
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingWater, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, BHT, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Levulinic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Gluconolactone, Cellulose, Retinal, Triethanolamine
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Betaine
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Stearate
CleansingRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Potassium Lactate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Silica, Betaine, Sucrose, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Stearate, Retinal, Resveratrol, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Potassium Lactate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Lactic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolRetinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about RetinalTocopherol 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 TocopherolXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
