What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
C13-15 Alkane
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Isosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sh-Polypeptide-2 Sr-Egyptian Scorpion Oligopeptide-1
Skin Protecting
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Hydroxytyrosol
Bleaching
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Mannitol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenyl Triacetate
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantGlucosylrutin
Antioxidant
Threonine
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Valine
MaskingPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Glutathione
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Succinate
MaskingSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Propanediol, C13-15 Alkane, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Squalane, Ascorbic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Sh-Polypeptide-2 Sr-Egyptian Scorpion Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Hexylresorcinol, Alpha-Arbutin, Hydroxytyrosol, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Mannitol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Panthenyl Triacetate, Gold, Glucosylrutin, Threonine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Valine, Phosphatidylcholine, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sorbitol, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glutathione, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract, Disodium Succinate, Saccharomyces Lysate, Caprylyl Glycol, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Carbonate
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Kojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventArbutin
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Tapioca Starch
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearate
CleansingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Water, Azelaic Acid, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Dimethicone, Kojic Dipalmitate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Arbutin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethyl Linoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bakuchiol, Tapioca Starch, Hexylresorcinol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, BHT, Sodium Stearate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Silybum Marianum Extract, Polymethylsilsesquioxane
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 TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 HexylresorcinolNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Water. 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
