What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Petrolatum
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Betaine
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAronia Arbutifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Chitosan
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Petrolatum, Stearic Acid, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 80, Cetearyl Alcohol, Beeswax, Sorbitan Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Arginine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Aronia Arbutifolia Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Hydrolyzed Chitosan, Retinyl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinThis 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 TriglycerideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHamamelis Virginiana Extract comes from the witch hazel plant.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel has astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties.
The tannin content of witch hazel constrict the appearance of pores by drying out proteins. Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
However, witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing due to the tannin and fragrance compounds.
North American Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana ExtractSodium 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 HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopheryl 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
