What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-32
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Malva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Poloxamer 407
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Haberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingBHT
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-32, Sodium Citrate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ascorbyl Glucoside, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cellulose Gum, Parfum, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Butylene Glycol, Poloxamer 407, Citric Acid, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hyaluronic Acid, Haberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientArginine
Masking
Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
Emollient
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-32
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Halidrys Siliquosa Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Arginine, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-32, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Astaxanthin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycine Soja Oil, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Tocopherol, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Lysolecithin, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Halidrys Siliquosa Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
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 GlycerinPEG-32 is a synthetic and water-soluble polymer with 32 repeating units. It has humectant, solvent, and emulsifying properties.
As a solvent and emulsifier, it helps dissolve and blend ingredients. It is also able to attract water as a humectant to help hydrate skin. According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is non-greasy, gentle, and mildly scented.
Japanese manufacturers will sometimes call this ingredient PEG 1540.
Learn more about PEG-32Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopherol 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
