What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Calcium Pantothenate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
C20-40 Alkyl Stearate
Skin ConditioningCera Alba
Emollient
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Sulfate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Octyldodecanol, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Pantolactone, Calcium Pantothenate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, C20-40 Alkyl Stearate, Cera Alba, Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Citric Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C13-16 Isoparaffin
Solvent
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
Emollient
Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientMethyl Nicotinate
SoothingEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPongamia Glabra Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Mukul Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Propylmethylmethoxybenzofuran
Skin ConditioningPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-16 Isoparaffin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Methyl Nicotinate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Propylmethylmethoxybenzofuran, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Trihydroxystearin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Propylene Carbonate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Sucrose Cocoate, Tocopherol, BHT, Water
Reviews
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 TriglycerideTocopherol 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
