What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingScenedesmus Rubescens Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLactic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Squalane, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Sodium PCA, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant2,3-Butanediol
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Methyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dicaprylyl Ether, Cetearyl Olivate, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, 2,3-Butanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cellulose Gum, Dextrin, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Citronellol, Tocopherol, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerThis 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 ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTocopherol 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