What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-1
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Urea
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Caproyl/Lauroyl Lactylate
AntimicrobialPEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-1, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Polyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate, Caprylyl Methicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Urea, Tocopheryl Acetate, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Caproyl/Lauroyl Lactylate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tapioca Starch
Canola Oil
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventSqualane
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Tetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Ceteareth-25
CleansingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tapioca Starch, Canola Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Squalane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Jojoba Esters, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Tetrapeptide-30, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Stearic Acid, Arachidyl Glucoside, Palmitic Acid, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Ceteareth-25, Polyglycerin-3, Citric Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenic Acid, Cholesterol, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides isn't fungal acne safe.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWe don't have a description for Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate yet.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
