What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingDecyl Oleate
Emollient
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXylitol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientSodium Lactate
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAspartic Acid
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Dna
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rna
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Coumarin
Perfuming
Acetyl Cysteine
Antioxidant
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningLysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Methionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingTryptophan
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitral
Perfuming
Serine
Masking
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingValine
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSoluble Collagen
Humectant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Acetyl Hexapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Chloride
AstringentCupric Chloride
Skin ConditioningFerric Chloride
AstringentMagnesium Chloride
Manganese Chloride
Skin ConditioningZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-52
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-18
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-37
Skin Conditioning
BHA
Antioxidant
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPCA
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Ceteareth-20, Decyl Oleate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Cetyl Alcohol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xylitol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Limonene, Glyceryl Oleate, Silica, Sodium PCA, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Sodium Lactate, Butylene Glycol, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hexyl Cinnamal, Pentylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Aspartic Acid, Linalool, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sorbitol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Dna, Hydrolyzed Rna, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Glycine, Alanine, Coumarin, Acetyl Cysteine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Leucine, Lysine Hcl, Methionine, Taurine, Tryptophan, Tyrosine, Decylene Glycol, Citral, Serine, Geraniol, Citronellol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Valine, Sodium Chloride, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Biotin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Soluble Collagen, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-30, Calcium Chloride, Cupric Chloride, Ferric Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Manganese Chloride, Zinc Chloride, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-52, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Glycolic Acid, Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-18, Acetyl Hexapeptide-37, BHA, Phenylpropanol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, PCA, BHT, Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Isosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Spirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBisabolol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Phytosterols, Phospholipids, Sucrose, Lecithin, Triheptanoin, Linoleic Acid, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateGlyceryl 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 StearateHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
