What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Phytic Acid
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Galactoarabinan
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventEthoxydiglycol
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMicrocitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bromelain
Skin Conditioning
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Vanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Glycolic Acid, Phytic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Galactoarabinan, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Stearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glycerin, Maltodextrin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sodium Ascorbate, Retinol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Bromelain, Papain, Tocopherol, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Menthoxypropanediol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
C15-19 Alkane
SolventSilica Silylate
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
Antimicrobial
Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, C15-19 Alkane, Silica Silylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Stearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose Cocoate, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Sodium Benzoate, T-Butyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, CI 14700, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
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 TriglycerideDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSodium 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 HydroxideTocopherol 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
