What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Niacinamide 5%
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantPropanediol
SolventMethylpropanediol
SolventBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
AstringentGlutathione
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Majorana Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialChitosan
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningNicotinoyl Dipeptide-23
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantLecithin
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCholeth-24
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCholesterol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSteareth-20
CleansingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Vinyldimethicone, Niacinamide 5%, Betaine, Propanediol, Methylpropanediol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Alpha-Arbutin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Glutathione, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Bisabolol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Chitosan, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glucose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Citrate, Dipeptide-2, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Allantoin, Sodium Phytate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Lecithin, Dextrin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Linolenic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Choleth-24, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Steareth-20, Alcohol Denat., T-Butyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingTetrapeptide-21
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningCopper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin ConditioningHeptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingTapioca Starch
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Tetrapeptide-21, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Saccharide Isomerate, Allantoin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Tapioca Starch, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (formerly Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3) is a lab-made peptide with anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing benefits. It's made up of four amino acids (glycine, glutamine, proline, and arginine) and palmitic acid (which helps it penetrate skin more effectively).
This ingredient helps reduce inflammation by limiting the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a chemical that triggers inflammatory responses, particularly after UV exposure.
Less inflammation = slower collagen breakdown and a longer-lasting, youthful appearance.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 also stimulates collagen production and supports a healthier skin barrier.
Over time, this can improve skin firmness, hydration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Itās commonly paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.
This ingredient has been shown to be effective and safe in cosmetic use and you'll typically find it in small amounts (less than 0.01%).
Due to its palmitic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Pentylene 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 GlycolSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
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.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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