What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Undecane
EmollientTridecane
Perfuming
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGarcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
AbsorbentCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAlgin
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Guaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Iron Oxides
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Heptyl Glucoside
SurfactantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Citrus Limon Juice
Skin Conditioning
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Undecane, Tridecane, Panthenol, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Algin, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Cocoglycerides, Guaiazulene, Iron Oxides, 1,2-Hexanediol, Heptyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Tropolone, Propanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caramel, Parfum, Citrus Limon Juice, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera Water, Maltodextrin
Water
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Magnesium Sulfate
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Caprae Lac
Skin ConditioningColostrum
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactose
HumectantMilk Protein
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Honey
Humectant
Eryngium Alpinum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Whey Protein
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Oleate
Emulsifying
Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Water, Coconut Alkanes, Coco-Caprylate, Propanediol, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Caprae Lac, Colostrum, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactose, Milk Protein, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Honey, Eryngium Alpinum Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Whey Protein, Gluconolactone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-3 Oleate, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Zinc Stearate, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Tocopherol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Lecithin
Reviews
Alternatives
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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePropanediol 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
