What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Oleyl Erucate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose
Absorbent
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oleyl Erucate, Glycerin, Triheptanoin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Panthenol, Ectoin, Cellulose, Allantoin, Retinal, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Carnitine Hcl
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Phytic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Vitex Agnus Castus Extract
AstringentGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Tetrahydrocurcumin
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Farnesol
Perfuming
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Pantothenate
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantStearic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantPotassium Gluconate
Skin ProtectingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Carnitine Hcl, Gluconolactone, Phytic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Tetrahydrocurcumin, Glutathione, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Farnesol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Pantothenate, Retinol, Niacinamide, Saccharide Isomerate, Ferulic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Mannitol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Centella Asiatica Extract, Phospholipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soy Isoflavones, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Zinc PCA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Ethoxydiglycol, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Calcium Gluconate, Potassium Gluconate, Cyclodextrin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
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 AllantoinThis 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 TriglycerideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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
