What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantStearic Acid
CleansingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingVitis Vinifera Juice Extract
AntioxidantTropaeolum Majus Extract
AntimicrobialPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-48 Hcl
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Seed Oil/Tocopheryl Succinate Aminopropanediol Esters
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sodium Isostearate
CleansingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl Phosphate, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Tropaeolum Majus Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hexapeptide-48 Hcl, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Phytosterols, Raspberry Seed Oil/Tocopheryl Succinate Aminopropanediol Esters, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Carbomer, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Isostearate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Parfum, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningYeast Amino Acids
HumectantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantLavandula Hybrida Oil
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingUrea
BufferingBetaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-4
Disodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Yeast Amino Acids, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Trehalose, Sodium PCA, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Salicylic Acid, Inositol, Taurine, Urea, Betaine, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-4, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Linalyl Acetate
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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDisodium 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Rice Protein is protein extracted from rice. This ingredient is rich in antioxidants and peptides.
Studies show this ingredient may help with blocking the melanin creation process when skin is exposed to UV.
Limonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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.
Water. 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