What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientC12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
EmulsifyingCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDecyl Oleate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantVanillin
MaskingParfum
MaskingAcetyl Cedrene
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingHexamethylindanopyran
MaskingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Decyl Oleate, Propanediol, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glyceryl Stearate, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Biotin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Phosphate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Vanillin, Parfum, Acetyl Cedrene, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Hexamethylindanopyran, Linalyl Acetate, CI 16035, Caramel
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingUbiquinone
AntioxidantSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingTannic Acid
AstringentChlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment
Skin ConditioningColeus Forskohlii Root Extract
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Dicaprylyl Ether, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Parfum, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Benzoic Acid, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Ubiquinone, Sodium Anisate, Alcohol Denat., Citronellol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Caffeine, Benzyl Alcohol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Tannic Acid, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
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 TriglycerideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 Se is a self-emulsifying (SE) form of glyceryl stearate. Self-emusifying means this ingredient automatically blends with water. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and cleansing agent.
As an emulsifier, Glyceryl Stearate Se prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant, meaning it helps cleanse the skin. Surfactants help gather oil, dirt, and other pollutants so they may be rinsed away easily.
Emollients help your skin stay smooth and soft. It does so by creating a film on top of the skin that helps trap moisture in.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate SeParfum 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 ParfumSodium 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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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