What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Panax Ginseng Root Water
Masking
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Glycine Max Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Canola Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Water, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Betaine, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Glycine Max Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Squalane, Madecassoside, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, Phytosphingosine, Pentylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Canola Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Stearate/Caprate/Caprylate/Adipate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
Masking
Dihydroxyisopropyl Palmoylpalmamide
HumectantMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Bis-Capryloyloxypalmitamido Isopropanol
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Xylitol
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Stearate/Caprate/Caprylate/Adipate, Glyceryl Stearate, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Arginine, Allantoin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Panthenol, Sorbitan Laurate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Dihydroxyisopropyl Palmoylpalmamide, Madecassoside, Bis-Capryloyloxypalmitamido Isopropanol, Stearic Acid, Ectoin, Phytosterols, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Xylitol, Glucose, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 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 GlycerinMadecassoside is one of four active compounds found in Centella asiatica and is one of the main reasons Centella is so effective at calming irritated skin and supporting the moisture barrier.
There's a solid body of peer-reviewed research backing Madecassoside for several skin benefits. Studies have found:
Madecassoside pairs well with other hydrating or antioxidant ingredients like Ascorbic Acid or Hyaluronic Acid.
Learn more about MadecassosidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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
