What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
BHT
Antioxidant
BHA
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Polysorbate 80, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Retinol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Linoleic Acid, Allantoin, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Palmitic Acid, Oleic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Triolein, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Stearic Acid, Maltodextrin, BHT, BHA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract
MoisturisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Collagen
Moisturising
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Betaine
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Cetearyl Olivate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Trehalose
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Cocos Nucifera Water, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Collagen, Panthenol, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Betaine, Beta-Glucan, Saccharide Isomerate, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Trehalose, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Arginine, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
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 AllantoinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinTocopherol 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 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
