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
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyisobutene
Parfum
MaskingCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Flower Extract
Butyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Powder
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCupressus Sempervirens Leaf Extract
PerfumingFlower Extract
Propolis Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyisobutene, Parfum, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Morinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Flower Extract, Butyl Avocadate, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Powder, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf Extract, Flower Extract, Propolis Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid
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
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 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 EthylhexylglycerinParfum 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 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 HyaluronateSorbeth-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 TetraoleateWater. 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