What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Nephelium Longana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Pullulan
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingUndecylenoyl Glycine
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Linalool
Perfuming
Pinene
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Octyldodecanol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Nephelium Longana Seed Extract, Beta-Glucan, Copper Tripeptide-1, Bacillus Ferment, Pullulan, Cyanocobalamin, Riboflavin, Tocopherol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Menthoxypropanediol, Benzoic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Linalyl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Linalool, Pinene, Citral, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Fructose
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningBentonite
Absorbent
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Fructose, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diheptyl Succinate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Bentonite, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Sodium PCA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Menthoxypropanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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 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 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 GlycerinMenthoxypropanediol can cause irritation and worsen rosacea.
Octyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Pentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSodium 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 TocopherolTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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
