What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Bis-Lauryl Cocaminopropylamine/Hdi/PEG-100 Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingJasminum Officinale Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Bis-Lauryl Cocaminopropylamine/Hdi/PEG-100 Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Iron Oxides
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
Emollient
Glucose
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCocos Nucifera Fruit
Abrasive
Hydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningSelaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment
Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Dipteryx Odorata Seed Extract
MaskingCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Glucose, Maltodextrin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cocos Nucifera Fruit, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Dipteryx Odorata Seed Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sorbitan Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 80, Isohexadecane, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Tin Oxide, 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.
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/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 TriglycerideDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract is extract from Apples. Apples are rich in Vitamin C, sugars, and antioxidants.
The sugar in Apples are humectants and help hydrate the skin. On top of that, apples also contain some acids, such as malic acid. These acids may have a mild exfoliating effect.
Last, the phytochemicals found in apples are strong antioxidants. These antioxidants help with anti-aging as they protect your skin cells against oxidative damage.
Learn more about Pyrus Malus Fruit ExtractSodium 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 Oleate is a PEG-free emulsifier made by esterifying sorbitol with oleic acid.
You'll likely see it paired with Polysorbate 80 to create the right emulsification balance.
Typical use levels in formulas range from 2-10%.
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as a cosmetic ingredient.
Since this ingredient is an ester of oleic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Oleic acid is a fatty acid that falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateTocopherol 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
