What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlumina
Abrasive
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Phytate
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Hypericum Perforatum Extract
AntimicrobialAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Sulfate
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Chloride
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Formaldehyde
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Alumina, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Lactic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Zea Mays Starch, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Alcohol, Allantoin, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Phytate, Ascorbic Acid, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Yeast Extract, Ammonium Sulfate, Lauryl Alcohol, Ammonium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Formaldehyde, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingSargassum Filipendula Extract
Skin ProtectingInulin
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Carrageenan
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Yogurt
Skin ProtectingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCharcoal Powder
Abrasive
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Santalum Album Extract
CleansingCucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract
AstringentPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Spirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPunica Granatum Juice Extract
Skin ConditioningRose Extract
Skin ConditioningButter Extract
Emollient
Cananga Odorata Flower Extract
Perfuming
Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, CI 77288, Arachidyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Sargassum Filipendula Extract, Inulin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Sorbitol, Behenyl Alcohol, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Carrageenan, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Arachidyl Glucoside, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Xanthan Gum, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Yogurt, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lactate, Tocopherol, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Charcoal Powder, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Santalum Album Extract, Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Glucose, Lactic Acid, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Juice Extract, Rose Extract, Butter Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Sodium Chloride, Silybum Marianum Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal
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 ingredientâs 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 AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
