What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Algae Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract
Antioxidant
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientCastanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTrifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Diglycerin
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextran
Mannan
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCalcium Chloride
AstringentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Algae Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Caffeine, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Acetyl Glucosamine, Micrococcus Lysate, Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Diglycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Trehalose, Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Sodium Rna, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Phytosphingosine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycine Soja Protein, Xanthan Gum, Dextran, Mannan, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Hexylene Glycol, Calcium Chloride, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lecithin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Polysorbate 60, Parfum, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Tocopherol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 19140, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Glycerin, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Sodium PCA, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Tocopherol, Limonene
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 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimonenePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolTocopherol 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
