What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Coceth Sulfate
CleansingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingWater, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, PEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Coceth Sulfate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Adenosine, Limonene, Caprylyl Glycol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Silybum Marianum Extract, Tocopherol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Lactic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSuccinic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Leaf Extract
EmollientCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Succinic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglycerin-3, Nelumbo Nucifera Extract, Prunus Persica Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Polyglutamate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene
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.
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 preservatives
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 ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneTocopherol 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