What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientPseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Amylopectin
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glyceryl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Amylopectin, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantAcetamidocaproic Acid
AntioxidantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPEG-75 Stearate
Hydrogenated Sweet Almond Oil
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrogenated Cottonseed Oil
EmollientCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingHydrogenated Apricot Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingTropolone
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Acetamidocaproic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, PEG-75 Stearate, Hydrogenated Sweet Almond Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Hydrogenated Apricot Kernel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Tropolone, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, 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.
This 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 StearatePotassium 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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