What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventVinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
SurfactantIsododecane
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialCellulose
AbsorbentSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-11
Glycerin
HumectantIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSorbitan Sesquiisostearate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylene Brassylate
MaskingParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingStearoyl Glutamic Acid
CleansingHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientRosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingIsostearic Acid
CleansingLecithin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, C9-12 Alkane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Alcohol, Cellulose, Silica, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Polysilicone-11, Glycerin, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylene Brassylate, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Stearoyl Glutamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningMimosa Tenuiflora Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCetearyl Olivate
Sodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveTromethamine
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ceramide NP, Mimosa Tenuiflora Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Beta-Glucan, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tocopherol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, CI 77891, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Glucose, Mica, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Tromethamine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Hexyl Cinnamal
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 ingredientâs 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 TriglycerideCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Glycerin (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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 ParfumSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol 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