What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSodium Chloride
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientParfum
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C9-12 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Pentylene Glycol, Silica, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Propylene Carbonate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum, Tocopherol, Isostearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Undecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Tridecane
Perfuming
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Galactoarabinan
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningFoeniculum Vulgare Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Undecane, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tridecane, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Galactoarabinan, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Caffeine, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Oil, Glyceryl Oleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Panthenol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPolyhydroxystearic Acid is a vegetable-derived soft wax made from castor oil. It's an emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
You'll likely see it in sunscreens because it helps disperse pigments and UV-reflecting minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide evenly.
Depending on the concentration, it can drastically change the texture of a product from pasty solid (like lipstick) to sprayable liquid.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics. The highest reported use concentration is 14.2% in lipsticks.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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
