What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingFructose
Humectant
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Mangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Algin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Darutoside
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Maris Aqua
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rhizobian Gum
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sucrose
Humectant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Octyldodecanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Acacia Senegal Gum, Fructose, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ceramide NP, Darutoside, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Maris Aqua, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rhizobian Gum, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C12-16 Alcohols, Palmitic Acid, Squalane, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sucrose, Pantolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Methylsilanol Mannuronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Hexyldecanol
Emollient
Hexyldecyl Laurate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Persea Gratissima Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentAphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantPolygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Water, PEG-8, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hexyldecanol, Hexyldecyl Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Tocopherol, Persea Gratissima Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Metabisulfite
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 TriglycerideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium 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 SorbateTocopherol 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
