What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Zingiber Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lecithin, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Salicylic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Capryloyl Glycine, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Zinc PCA, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Lactate, Zingiber Officinale Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Gluconate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
PEG-4
HumectantPEG-4 Dilaurate
Emulsifying
PEG-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Hydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, BHT, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, PEG-4, PEG-4 Dilaurate, PEG-4 Laurate, Hydroxystearic Acid, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
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 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Saccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
