What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Trioctyldodecyl Citrate
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Dioleate
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningEthyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cellulose
Absorbent
Fructose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopentyldiol, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Triolein, Retinal, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Retinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Glyceryl Dioleate, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Ethyl Ferulate, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Arginine, Propanediol, Cellulose Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Ubiquinone, Lactic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl Glycol, Inulin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Cellulose, Fructose, Glucose, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
3-Glyceryl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Prunus Cerasus Fruit Water
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract
Emulsion StabilisingPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glyceryl Ether
CleansingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Glycerin, 3-Glyceryl Ascorbate, Prunus Cerasus Fruit Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Propanediol, Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glucomannan, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract, Physalis Angulata Extract, Sorbitol, Sodium Phytate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, Sclerotium Gum, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinThis 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 ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolSclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Tocopherol 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
