What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingBetaine
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Cocos Nucifera Water, Betaine, Stearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Maltodextrin, Carbomer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate, Myristic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-1
EmollientTapioca Starch
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSodium PCA
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Benzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingBenzethonium Chloride
AntimicrobialOrmenis Multicaulis Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-1, Tapioca Starch, Cetyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Benzethonium Chloride, Ormenis Multicaulis Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate
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 TriglycerideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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