What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Averrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Isosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningHexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Sclareolide
Masking
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hexenyl Acetate
Masking
Ionone
Astringent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Averrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Triethyl Citrate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Hexylresorcinol, Sclareolide, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sorbitol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexenyl Acetate, Ionone, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, CI 17200, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Ferulic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Tocopherol, Citral, 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.
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 TriglycerideCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimonenePhenoxyethanol 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 HyaluronateTocopherol 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
