What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingHydrogenated Polydecene
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Olivate
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Arborescens Leaf Extract
MoisturisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
BHT
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Stearate Se, C14-22 Alcohols, Cetearyl Olivate, C12-16 Alcohols, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Aloe Arborescens Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Cellulose Gum, Adenosine, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Glucose, Tocopherol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, BHT, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingJojoba Esters
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Glycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Manihot Esculenta Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingSophora Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ProtectingAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientMalachite Extract
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCetyl Palmitate
EmollientPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGallyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jojoba Esters, Cetearyl Olivate, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Oleate, Hydrolyzed Manihot Esculenta Tuber Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Sophora Japonica Flower Extract, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Malachite Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Cetyl Palmitate, Propyl Gallate, Polyglycerin-3, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Carbonate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineThis 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 TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateGlycerin (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 Se is a self-emulsifying (SE) form of glyceryl stearate. Self-emusifying means this ingredient automatically blends with water. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and cleansing agent.
As an emulsifier, Glyceryl Stearate Se prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant, meaning it helps cleanse the skin. Surfactants help gather oil, dirt, and other pollutants so they may be rinsed away easily.
Emollients help your skin stay smooth and soft. It does so by creating a film on top of the skin that helps trap moisture in.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate SePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol.
It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together, such as oils and water.
According to a manufacturer, the ingredient Sorbitan Monooleate shares an INCI name with this one.
Sorbitan Oleate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also worsen oily skin.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTocopherol (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