What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment
Skin ProtectingCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
Antimicrobial
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientLysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Silica
Abrasive
Salvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Water, Potassium Hydroxide, Lactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Lactobacillus, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Sodium Phytate, Silica, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Alcohol, Tocopherol, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate
Emulsifying
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Galactoarabinan
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Iron Oxides
Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Mica, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Galactoarabinan, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Glycolic Acid, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Iron Oxides
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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 LimoneneSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract is from the Kakadu plum. The Kakadu plum is native to northern Australia. The Kakadu plum holds the record for having the highest amount of natural vitamin C.
This ingredient is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals and thus may reduce the signs of aging.
The high vitamin C content of Kakadu plum also helps lighten skin. Vitamin C has been shown to block the process of skin darkening that leads to hyperpigmentation.
Kakadu plums have been used by indigenous cultures as medicine to help treat colds and as an antiseptic.
Learn more about Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit ExtractTocopherol 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
