What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEchinacea Purpurea Root Extract
MoisturisingCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientUndecane
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingTridecane
PerfumingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientRibose
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientStrelitzia Nicolai Seed Aril Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGellan Gum
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Phytate
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin ConditioningAmino Esters-1
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Muricatum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientAlgae Extract
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingLawsonia Inermis Extract
AntimicrobialOcimum Basilicum Extract
AntioxidantPearl Powder
Sorbic Acid
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Glycolate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Jojoba Esters, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Undecane, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Tridecane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Ribose, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Behenyl Alcohol, Strelitzia Nicolai Seed Aril Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, Gellan Gum, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Cellulose Gum, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Amino Esters-1, Calcium Gluconate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Muricatum Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Algae Extract, Salicylic Acid, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Lawsonia Inermis Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Extract, Pearl Powder, Sorbic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Glycolate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantMaris Aqua
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPolysilicone-11
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGigartina Stellata/Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Squalane
EmollientHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingPhytosteryl Canola Glycerides
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientOleic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTriolein
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Maris Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Polysilicone-11, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Panthenol, Gigartina Stellata/Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Lecithin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Linoleic Acid, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Silica, Hexylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Oleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Triolein, T-Butyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, CI 77891, CI 77491
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 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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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