What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Bambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Aminobutyric Acid
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningTaraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Calcium PCA
Humectant
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Trimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Betaine, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trehalose, Panthenol, Arginine, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Aminobutyric Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Pantolactone, Adenosine, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Glyceryl Glucoside, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract, Pantothenic Acid, Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium PCA, Sodium PCA, Calcium PCA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Carnitine
Cleansing
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Sarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Acetamide Mea
HumectantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Palmitamide Mea
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSqualane
Emollient
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Escin
TonicCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Carnitine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Salicylic Acid, Madecassoside, Sarcosine, Acetamide Mea, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Cyclodextrin, Propylene Glycol, Serine, Palmitamide Mea, Sodium Phosphate, Squalane, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Escin, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 TriglycerideDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolWater. 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
