What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Retinyl Propionate
Skin Conditioning
Dilauryl Thiodipropionate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Isopropyl Myristate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Hexylresorcinol, Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Propionate, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate, Disodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Hydroxide, Palmitic Acid, Phospholipids, Lecithin, BHT
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-7 Trimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient
Glycereth-18 Ethylhexanoate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingRetinyl Propionate
Skin Conditioning
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Oligopeptide-10
Antimicrobial
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningEthyl Linoleate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Boswellia Serrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Honey Extract
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycereth-18
HumectantTrimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid Copolymer
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Disodium Carboxyethyl Siliconate
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Glycereth-7 Trimethyl Ether, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Isostearate, Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate, Steareth-21, Dimethicone, Glycereth-18 Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Steareth-2, Retinyl Propionate, Hexylresorcinol, Oligopeptide-10, Proline, Hydroxyproline, Ethyl Linoleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Honey Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sea Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-18, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Disodium Carboxyethyl Siliconate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Linalool, Limonene, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 ingredientās 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 AlcoholDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinAnother popular name for this ingredient is Synovea HR. This ingredient is a skin lightener and antioxidant.
Like other skin lighteners, it blocks the process of skin darkening. Specifically, this ingredient blocks tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for darkening skin when exposed to UV.
Hexylresorcinol works well with other ingredients. Studies show this ingredient boosts the effect of niacinamide, various forms of vitamin C, and retinoids.
Many consider this to be a safer alternative to hydroquinone. In fact, this ingredient produces the same results as hydroquinone in lower amounts.
Fun fact: This ingredient can also be found food and medicine for treating skin infections.
Gentle reminder from SkinSort: all skin tones are beautiful!
Learn more about HexylresorcinolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Retinyl Propionate is a retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Most retinoids have to be converted to become effective. For some, this conversion line is long and possible ineffective. The end goal? Retinoid acid, AKA tretinoin.
Retinyl Propionate is an ester of retinol, like Retinyl Palmitate. Though the conversion line is longer for this ingredient - the results seem promising.
A study from 2021 found Retinyl Propionate to be just as effective as retinol . FYI - Retinol is one of the most well-studied OTC ingredients.
Other studies show promising results as well:
Reducing sun damage helps with: reducing the appearance of wrinkles, evening out skin tone, increasing skin plumpness, and decreasing dullness.
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about Retinyl PropionateWater. 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
