What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Caprae Lac
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Caprae Lac, Lactobacillus Ferment, Maltodextrin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Lecithin, Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Tricaprylin
Perfuming
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Soybean Glycerides
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Michelia Alba Leaf Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Tricaprylin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Soybean Glycerides, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Myristyl Myristate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caffeine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol, Rosa Damascena Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol
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 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 AlcoholCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate Se is a self-emulsifying (SE) form of glyceryl stearate. Self-emusifying means this ingredient automatically blends with water. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and cleansing agent.
As an emulsifier, Glyceryl Stearate Se prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant, meaning it helps cleanse the skin. Surfactants help gather oil, dirt, and other pollutants so they may be rinsed away easily.
Emollients help your skin stay smooth and soft. It does so by creating a film on top of the skin that helps trap moisture in.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate SeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinSodium 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 Water
