What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cholesterol
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
BHA
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingLecithin
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolyacrylamide
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
PEG-20 Glyceryl Laurate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Panthenol, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinal, Centella Asiatica Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cholesterol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Polysorbate 80, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, BHA, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Lecithin, Ascorbic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polyacrylamide, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, PEG-20 Glyceryl Laurate, Propanediol, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Linoleic Acid, Parfum, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, BHT, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPolyacrylamide
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Psoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Carbomer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polyacrylamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Allantoin, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Ceramide NP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caffeine, Psoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as "C13-14 Isoalkane".
C13-14 Isoparaffin is created from petroleum-based mineral oils. It is an emollient and helps thicken a product.
As an emollient, it helps keep the skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in, keeping the skin hydrated.
C13-14 Isoparaffin may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinThis 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 TriglycerideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinLaureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
This ingredient is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamideWater. 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
