What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningDiisooctyl Succinate
EmollientTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPiperonyl Glucoside
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
HumectantLecithin
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Carnitine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract
Emulsion StabilisingGeranium Maculatum Extract
TonicEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningTaraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
AbrasiveTamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Diisooctyl Succinate, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Propanediol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Oleate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Piperonyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Lecithin, Caffeine, Palmitoyl Carnitine, Hydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Propolis Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citric Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingSodium PCA
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantProline
Skin ConditioningHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDilinoleic Acid
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Stearic Acid
CleansingHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSea Water
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientUbiquinone
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantSpilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingWater, Triheptanoin, Stearyl Alcohol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glycerin, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Proline, Hydroxyproline, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dilinoleic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Stearic Acid, Hexylresorcinol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sea Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Ubiquinone, Tocopherol, Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol
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.
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 preservatives
Caprylyl 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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract is an exfoliant.
Jojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilTocopherol 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 Water