What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCoconut Alkanes
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingArbutin
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingArginine
MaskingGlutamylamidoethyl Imidazole
Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingWater, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coconut Alkanes, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Arbutin, Niacinamide, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Lactic Acid, Arginine, Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Glycerin, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Soy Amino Acids, Yeast Extract, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventErythritol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAgar
MaskingSodium Phytate
Ubiquinone
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantCitrus Junos Seed Oil
EmollientPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientGlutathione
Benzyl Glycol
SolventSasa Quelpaertensis Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingRaspberry Ketone
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Bakuchiol
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningWater, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Erythritol, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Agar, Sodium Phytate, Ubiquinone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mentha Viridis Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Acer Saccharum Extract, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Citrus Junos Seed Oil, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Glutathione, Benzyl Glycol, Sasa Quelpaertensis Extract, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Cholesterol, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Astaxanthin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Maltodextrin, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Hyaluronic Acid, Gluconolactone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Raspberry Ketone, Disodium EDTA, Bakuchiol, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Citric Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cyanocobalamin
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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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