What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientHexyl Laurate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPrunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingRosa Damascena Extract
MaskingAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Steareth-21
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSqualane
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAlgin
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Serine
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Steareth-2, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rosa Damascena Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Steareth-21, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 60, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Algin, Sodium Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Serine, Caramel, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citronellol, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-1
EmollientTapioca Starch
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSodium PCA
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Benzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingBenzethonium Chloride
AntimicrobialOrmenis Multicaulis Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-1, Tapioca Starch, Cetyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Benzethonium Chloride, Ormenis Multicaulis Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate
Reviews
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 TriglycerideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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