What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Betaine
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientUndecane
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Isopropyl Myristate, Undecane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Tridecane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citral, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPolymethyl Methacrylate
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Parfum
MaskingCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingOleyl Erucate
EmollientLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propanediol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Sodium Levulinate, Benzyl Alcohol, Oleyl Erucate, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCaprylic/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 ingredient’s 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 TriglycerideDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol 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