What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmodimethicone
Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGlucose
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Amodimethicone, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Glucose, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Maltodextrin, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Crithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Glucose
HumectantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Triheptanoin, Polyglycerin-3, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, C13-15 Alkane, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Chlorphenesin, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Carbomer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, T-Butyl Alcohol, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Glucose
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 TriglycerideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated.
It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with.
Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface.
Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin. This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff.
In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s 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 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 HydroxideTamarindus Indica Seed Gum is from the seeds of Tamarindus indica. It is more commonly known as tamarind.
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum is used as a texture enhancer, emulsifier, and skin conditioner.
When added to products, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum helps thicken and create a gel-like texture.
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum is a humectant. It helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This keeps your skin hydrated.
Emulsion stabilizing ingredients help stabilize a product. They work by stabilizing two non-mixable ingredients. An example would be oil and water.
Learn more about Tamarindus Indica Seed GumWater. 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