What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lactic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Betaine, Colloidal Oatmeal, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Tocopherol, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Panthenol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Azelaic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
C15-19 Alkane
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Geraniol
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Glycolic Acid, C15-19 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Tocopherol, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Parfum, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Lactic Acid, Geraniol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Citral, Linalool, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Citronellol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the product’s pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol 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 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
