What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Methylsilanol Mannuronate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tapioca Starch
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningJuglans Regia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMannitol
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBenzoic Acid
Masking
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tapioca Starch, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Juglans Regia Seed Extract, Methylpropanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Mannitol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Benzoic Acid, P-Anisic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Coumarin
Water
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC15-19 Alkane
SolventPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Stearyl Phosphate
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGamma-Decalactone
Perfuming
Gamma-Nonalactone
Masking
Vanillin
Masking
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingLimonene
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C15-19 Alkane, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil, Stearyl Phosphate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Gamma-Decalactone, Gamma-Nonalactone, Vanillin, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol
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 AcidCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin (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 LimonenePotassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
