What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Tromethamine
BufferingSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
SurfactantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantParfum
MaskingArginine
MaskingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingBetaine
HumectantPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBenzyl Glycol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Surfactin
CleansingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Water, Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Parfum, Arginine, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Betaine, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Benzyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Surfactin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Gluconolactone, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPanthenol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningProtease
ExfoliatingSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Isopropyl Myristate, Triethylhexanoin, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Parfum, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Betaine Salicylate, Niacinamide, Maltodextrin, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Protease, Superoxide Dismutase
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
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 ingredientās 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 TriglycerideEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate is a surfactant and emulsifier.
This ingredient is a tetraester from oleic acid and polyethylene glycol ether of sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it helps ingredients such as oil and water mix together. This allows the dirt and oils in your skin to be washed away.
One study found pumpkin oil containing Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate helped hydrate the skin and did not cause any irritation.
Learn more about Sorbeth-30 TetraoleateSorbitan Sesquioleate is derived from sorbitol and oleic acid. It is an emulsifier and prevents ingredients from separating.
Specifically, this ingredient is a water-in-oil emulsifier, meaning it helps water dissolve into oil.
Some studies suggest this ingredient may cause irritation in some people. If you are unsure, it is best to patch test.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe due to the oleic acid. In vitro studies have shown that Oleic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
Learn more about Sorbitan SesquioleateWater. 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