What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventC18-21 Alkane
SolventTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientEctoin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOlive Glycerides
EmulsifyingLinolenic Acid
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCetearyl Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPalmitic Acid
EmollientGlyceryl Dioleate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
C15-19 Alkane
SolventTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyglycerin-6
HumectantSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, C18-21 Alkane, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Linoleic Acid, Cetyl Palmitate, Ectoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Olive Glycerides, Linolenic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetearyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Palmitic Acid, Glyceryl Dioleate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, C15-19 Alkane, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caramel, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglycerin-6, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Isostearate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientXylitylglucoside
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Heptapeptide-27
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide-78
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Octapeptide-24
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAnhydroxylitol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXylitol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTeprenone
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPolyvinyl Alcohol
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Behenyl Alcohol, Xylitylglucoside, Niacinamide, Squalane, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-27, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-78, Palmitoyl Octapeptide-24, Phenoxyethanol, Anhydroxylitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xylitol, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Teprenone, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Tocopherol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide
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.
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 preservatives
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 TriglycerideSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium 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 HydroxideSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTocopherol 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