What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAlgae Extract
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Rose Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Algae Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Mentha Piperita Extract
CleansingMicrocitrus Australis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMicrocitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract
HumectantCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Citrus Grandis, Propanediol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Ferulic Acid, Tocopherol, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita Extract, Microcitrus Australis Fruit Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Junos Peel Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycine Soja Oil, Phospholipids, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
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 TriglycerideCitric 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 EthylhexylglycerinPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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 Water
