What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentaerythrityl Stearate/Caprate/Caprylate/Adipate
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Trehalose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningStreptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
HumectantPollen Extract
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTrideceth-10
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Stearate/Caprate/Caprylate/Adipate, Trisiloxane, Squalane, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Trehalose, Panthenol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Pollen Extract, Glycine Soja Oil Unsaponifiables, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Trideceth-10, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cholesterol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOctyldodecanol
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingArtemisia Montana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantVaccinium Corymbosum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Methylpropanediol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Trehalose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Artemisia Montana Leaf Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vaccinium Corymbosum Fruit Extract, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Cholesterol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
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
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerYou may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCholesterol is a lipid that is naturally found in human skin and is one of the three key components of your skin barrier. In skincare, it is an emollient and barrier-repairing ingredient.
It works by fitting directly into the lipid layers of skin to help restore structure and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This is a great ingredient for dry, compromised, or aging skin; our skin starts to produce less cholesterol with age.
Research shows cholesterol works best in combination with ceramides and fatty acids, the other two major components in your skin barrier.
Cholesterol is also a well-establish penetration enhancer and can help other actives absorb more effectively.
Cosmetic-grade cholesterol is usually derived from lanolin but plant and synthetic options also exist. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about their source of cholesterol.
Learn more about CholesterolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate Citrate is a citric acid ester of glyceryl stearate.
It is an emulsifier, emollient, and a surfactant.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating. Common ingredients include oils and water, which do not mix naturally. Emulsifiers have properties that help keep ingredients such as these together.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Surfactants help gather oils, dirt, and other pollutants from the skin. This helps them to be easily rinsed away.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate CitrateHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePentylene 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 GlycolPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Rosehip Oil is a non-fragrant plant oil. Rosehips are a fruit from a rose bush and are edible. This oil has skin conditioning and hydrating properties.
Rosehip contains Vitamin C, Vitamin E, fatty acids and linolenic acids. These nourish your skin barrier. Having hydrated skin may help reduce the appearance of fine-lines and wrinkles.
Another great component of Rosehip Oil is Vitamin A, or retinol. Vitamin A encourages your skin to create more collagen.
Rosehip oil may help with reducing pigmentation. The lycopene and beta-carotene have skin-lightening properties. However, more studies are needed to confirm this.
Learn more about Rosa Canina Fruit OilJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilTocopherol 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 TocopherolTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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