What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Hydrogenated Rosinate
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Diglycerin
Humectant
Steareth-21
CleansingMyreth-3 Myristate
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ethyl Vanillin
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Diglycerin, Steareth-21, Myreth-3 Myristate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Squalane, Parfum, Steareth-2, Menthoxypropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Palmitic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Citrate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethyl Vanillin, Citric Acid, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyisobutene
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Salicina Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyisobutene, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Synthetic Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Water, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Tocopherol, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Trihydroxystearin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Dehydroacetic Acid
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 an emollient and skin conditioning agent.
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 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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobutenePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateSodium 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 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
