What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPunica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Caprylate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ficus Carica Fruit/Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Menthyl Lactate, Mica, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Caprylate, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ethyl Oleate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Pullulan
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Magnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
Masking
Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Ethyl Oleate, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pullulan, Arachidyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Behenyl Alcohol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Adenosine, Arachidyl Glucoside, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Levulinic Acid, Magnesium Gluconate, Menthyl Lactate, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate
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 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 GlycerinMenthyl lactate is an ester of menthol and lactic acid. It is often used as a cooling agent and fragrance.
When applied topically, this ingredient leaves a refreshing sensation like menthol, but is less irritating.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWe don't have a description for Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract yet.
Silica, 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 SilicaSodium 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
