What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Squalene
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Cholesterol
Emollient
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lactic Acid
Buffering
CI 75810
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Squalene, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Beta-Glucan, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Phytosphingosine, Tocopherol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Beta-Sitosterol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Cholesterol, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Phenoxyethanol, Lactic Acid, CI 75810
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Pantolactone
Humectant
CI 75810
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Allantoin, T-Butyl Alcohol, Pantolactone, CI 75810
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinThis ingredient is also known as oat kernel oil. It's an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is great for barrier support, hydrating skin, and calming irritation.
The fatty acid profile is dominated by linoleic acid (~22.8-43.1%), oleic acid (~31.4-51.3%), and palmitic acid (~13.9-18.8%).
Plus, it contains ceramides, phytosterols, phospholipids, vitamin E, and avenanthramides (oat's signature anti-inflammatory polyphenols).
One study found an oat lipid extract applied to human skin cells switched on receptors that tell skin cells to mature properly and make more barrier lipids (including a 70% boost in ceramides).
Basically, oat kernel oil doesn't just sit on top of skin, it nudges your skin to build more its of its own barrier.
Typical usage levels range from 1-10%.
Note: This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to the fatty acids present.
Learn more about Avena Sativa Kernel OilCaprylic/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 TriglycerideCi 75810, or Chlorophyll, is a coloring and masking ingredient from green plants.
It is used to give products a green color.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPantolactone is a synthetically created humectant.
As a humectant, Pantolactone helps draw moisture to the skin. It can help add hydration to your skin.
Phenoxyethanol 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
