This hydrating serum is formulated around Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Butyrospermum Parkii Butter to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This brightening eye moisturizer is formulated around Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Troxerutin to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Monascus Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Borago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRose Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Extract
Masking
Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningIris Versicolor Extract
EmollientFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glutathione
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Mannose
HumectantParfum
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Synthetic Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Monascus Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Rose Extract, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Iris Versicolor Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Collagen Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Bisabolol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tocopherol, Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Glutathione, Ascorbic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glucose, Mannose, Parfum, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citral, Linalool, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene
C13-15 Alkane
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningCocoglycerides
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Troxerutin
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMalic Acid
Buffering
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propylene Carbonate
SolventStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantC13-15 Alkane, Water, Cocoglycerides, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Troxerutin, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Diisostearyl Malate, Gluconolactone, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Maltodextrin, Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Octyldodecanol, Calcium Gluconate, Malic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Tocopherol, Astaxanthin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Carbonate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, 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.
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 TriglycerideThis ingredient is the small fraction of sunflower seed oil (~1.5-2% of the whole oil) that cannot be turned into soap.
This concentrated fraction is rich in skin-nourishing compounds like free fatty acids, tocopherols, and phytosterols. Linoleic acid makes up about 48-74% of its composition.
Unsaponifiables have high antioxidant potential due to the tocopherols, carotenoids, and phenolic acids that help protect skin from free radical damage. On the other hand, linoleic acid supports the skin's barrier by replenishing ceramides and reducing transepidermal water loss.
A manufacturer-sponsored clinical study found that a cream with 2% of this ingredient increased skin moisturization by 48.6% after 1 hour and 34.2% after 24 hours.
Using this cream twice-daily for 4 weeks showed meaningful improvement in dryness, roughness, and desquamation (the shedding of dead skin cells).
Keep in mind this is a small, industry-funded study so it'd be great to see independent replication. However, the mechanism is consistent with well-establish linoleic and phytosterol research.
While this ingredient is generally considered safe, those with an Asteraceae/Compositae plant allergy should patch test this ingredient.
Fungal acne: this ingredient is not considered safe for fungal acne because the Malassezia yeast preferentially metabolizes in the C11-24 range. Linoleic acid falls into this range at C18.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil UnsaponifiablesOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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
