What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingPEG-8 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
C9-12 Alkane
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Propanediol
Solvent
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Linalool
Perfuming
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
Antioxidant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vinegar
Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Isopropyl Palmitate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethylhexanoin, PEG-8 Isostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Synthetic Wax, C9-12 Alkane, Water, Parfum, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Limonene, Propanediol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alcohol Denat., Linalool, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Vinegar, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Beta-Carotene, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Isododecane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningAniba Rosodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Isododecane, Panthenol, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Linalool, Limonene
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.
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 preservatives
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 TriglycerideCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolTocopherol 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
