What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C13-15 Alkane
SolventSqualane
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Magnesium Sulfate
Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, C13-15 Alkane, Squalane, Octyldodecanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Panthenol, Retinol, Resveratrol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Gluconolactone, Ubiquinone, Ethyl Ferulate, Calcium Gluconate, Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C15-19 Alkane
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Kojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Behenyl Behenate
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Embelia Concinna Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Lentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C15-19 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Polyglyceryl-20 Octadecabehenate/Laurate, Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate, Kojic Dipalmitate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Behenyl Behenate, Magnesium Sulfate, Alpha-Arbutin, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Embelia Concinna Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Glycerin, Zinc Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Citric Acid, Stearic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77492
Reviews
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateOctyldodecanol 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.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.
It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidPropanediol 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 PropanediolTocopherol 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
