What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHydrogenated Poly(C6-20 Olefin)
Abrasive
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingParfum
Masking
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLinalool
Perfuming
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingCamellia Japonica Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
Perfuming
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantSoluble Collagen
Humectant
Vegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4
Humectant
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
TonicAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethylhexanoin, Butylene Glycol, Triolein, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-20 Olefin), Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Adenosine, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Parfum, Beta-Glucan, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Xanthan Gum, Linalool, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Extract, Geraniol, Ferulic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, CI 15985, CI 17200, Soluble Collagen, Vegetable Oil, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Hydroxide, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Propylene Glycol, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Arginine, Panthenol, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglutamic Acid, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Betaine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Lactic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylic/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 ingredientās 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 GlycolCarbomer 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 CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 PropanediolWater. 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
