What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Bambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Quaternium-33
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyquaternium-10
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lanolin Acid
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
Masking
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Citrate
BufferingVegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Algin
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Quaternium-33, Stearyl Alcohol, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Lanolin Acid, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Sapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Vegetable Oil, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Algin, Citral, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentDextrin
AbsorbentZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Xylitol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Mannitol
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Ocimum Basilicum Oil
Masking
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Viola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glutamic Acid, Caffeine, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Panthenol, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Caprylyl Glycol, Mentha Piperita Oil, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dextrin, Zea Mays Starch, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Xylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Mannitol, Sucrose, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Fructooligosaccharides, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Biotin, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Madecassoside, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinThis oil is derived from the leaves of Eucalyptus Globulus, a type of Eucalyptus tree native to Australia.
Though this oil shows antibacterial and antioxidant activity, it is also a known skin-irritant due to its fragrance components.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinIllicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil is an oil.
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 Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine yet.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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
