What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCharcoal Powder
Abrasive
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Squalene
Emollient
Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C10-18 Triglycerides, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Cetyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Charcoal Powder, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Argilla
Abrasive
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMenthol
Masking
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
C9-12 Alkane
SolventDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Citronellol
Perfuming
Leptospermum Petersonii Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Behenyl Alcohol, Argilla, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Arachidyl Glucoside, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Salicylic Acid, Triheptanoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Menthol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, C9-12 Alkane, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Citronellol, Leptospermum Petersonii Oil, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, CI 19140, CI 42090
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 TriglycerideCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium 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 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
