What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Squalane
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Nelumbo Nucifera Extract
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Fructose
Humectant
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Poloxamer 338
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Tetrasodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Isostearyl Isostearate, Propanediol, Squalane, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Boron Nitride, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglycerin-3, Nelumbo Nucifera Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Fructose, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Sodium Metabisulfite, Poloxamer 338, Silica, Tetrasodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitol
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Persica Kernel Oil
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBoswellia Carterii Gum Oil
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Santalum Album Oil
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Styrax Tonkinensis Resin Extract
Perfuming
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Prunus Persica Kernel Oil, Benzoic Acid, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Lactate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Linalool, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Boswellia Carterii Gum Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Santalum Album Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Styrax Tonkinensis Resin Extract, Maltodextrin, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimonenePotassium 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 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 HydroxideTocopherol 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
