What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Rice Branate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Rice Branate, Propanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate, Betaine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyglutamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Malva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingFaex
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Polyglycerin-3, Propanediol, Alcohol, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Steareth-2, Jojoba Esters, Steareth-21, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Chlorphenesin, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Parfum, Lecithin, Sodium Hydroxide, Faex, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 CopolymerThis 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 ingredientās 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
