What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientOlus Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Palmitate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyacrylate-13
Sorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingParfum
MaskingPolyisobutene
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingHydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose
EmulsifyingCitronellol
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeRibes Nigrum Bud Oil
PerfumingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Octyldodecanol, Olus Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Mica, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate-13, Sorbitan Palmitate, Tocopherol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Parfum, Polyisobutene, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sorbitan Oleate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tin Oxide, Linalool, Limonene, Lactobacillus, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Geraniol, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Citronellol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Ribes Nigrum Bud Oil, Biotin, CI 77891, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSilica
AbrasivePelargonium Graveolens Stem Leaf Oil
PerfumingTin Oxide
AbrasiveGlucose
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Carbomer, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Amodimethicone, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Maltodextrin, Butylene Glycol, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propylene Carbonate, Silica, Pelargonium Graveolens Stem Leaf Oil, Tin Oxide, Glucose, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 20, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Chlorphenesin, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, CI 77891, CI 77491
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 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 TriglycerideCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium 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 HydroxideSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Tocopherol 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