What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantGlyceryl Dilaurate
EmollientPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantTripeptide-10
Skin ConditioningCitrulline
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Urea
BufferingGlucose
HumectantGuanidine Hcl
BufferingDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Tripeptide-10, Citrulline, Tripeptide-1, Lecithin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Urea, Glucose, Guanidine Hcl, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Panthenol, Phospholipids, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Pvp, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Pantothenic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantRetinyl Propionate
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Glyceryl Behenate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
O-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialBHT
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantBHA
AntioxidantGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylparaben
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingBenzyl Cinnamate
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Retinyl Propionate, Retinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Glyceryl Behenate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Polysorbate 20, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Laureth-7, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, O-Cymen-5-Ol, BHT, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, BHA, Glyceryl Oleate, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Coumarin, Benzyl Cinnamate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Cinnamyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateThis 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 ingredient’s 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 AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract is derived from marine bacteria found in Antarctic ocean. It has humectant and skin soothing properties.
You’ll most often find this ingredient listed under the trade names Antarcticine or Arctalis.
According to a manufacturer, these ingredients encourage skin regeneration and smoothness by stimulating collagen and elastin production. A manufacturer study found creams containing 1–5% Antarcticine increased skin hydration and reduced wrinkle depth around the eyes.
The manufacturer also claims this extract can help regulate oily skin by reducing sebum production, shine, and minimizing pore size.
Some people have reported that ferments may trigger Malassezia folliculitis. For this reason, we list it as not fungal-acne safe, though individual reactions can vary.
Learn more about Pseudoalteromonas Ferment ExtractTocopheryl 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 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