What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantSd Alcohol 40-B
AstringentCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientUndecane
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentCaviar Extract
Skin ConditioningCaviar Oil
EmollientPullulan
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCaulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Acmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningRna
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-3
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-11
Carrageenan
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSucrose Stearate
EmollientAlcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientGlycine
BufferingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Oleate
CleansingTin Oxide
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Citrate, Glycerin, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Undecane, Alcohol, Glycoproteins, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Caviar Extract, Caviar Oil, Pullulan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Sodium Dna, Rna, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tetrapeptide-3, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycine Soja Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Dimethicone, Tridecane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Behenyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Arachidyl Glucoside, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, Carrageenan, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Algin, Sodium Lactate, Mica, Carbomer, Coco-Glucoside, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sucrose Stearate, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Glycine, Polysorbate 80, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Oleate, Tin Oxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 77891, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningRhodochrosite Extract
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
BufferingAmodimethicone
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveSorbic Acid
PreservativeCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Betaine, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Rose Extract, Rhodochrosite Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Adenosine, Carbomer, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891, Citric Acid, Amodimethicone, CI 77491, CI 14700, Tin Oxide, Sorbic Acid, CI 19140, Benzophenone-4, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, 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.
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 ingredientâs final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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
Itâs 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 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 HydroxideSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Tocopherol 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