What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Oleate Citrate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLecithin
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
AstringentHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C10-18 Triglycerides, Glycerin, Glyceryl Behenate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Citric Acid, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Ubiquinone
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
HumectantJojoba Esters
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeErgothioneine
AntioxidantWater, Isopentyldiol, Jojoba Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Retinol, Squalane, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Glycine Soja Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Ergothioneine
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.
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 preservatives
This ingredient is an 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.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetyl 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 AlcoholCitric 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 AcidHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum