What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Linoleic Acid
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAmelanchier Alnifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Herb Oil
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingVetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Ceramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-25
CleansingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenic Acid
CleansingCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningFerric Hexapeptide-35
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Phytosterols, Propylene Glycol, C12-16 Alcohols, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Olivate, Linoleic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Amelanchier Alnifolia Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Citric Acid, Sorbitol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Herb Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ceramide AP, Ceteareth-25, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenic Acid, Ceramide Ns, Ferric Hexapeptide-35, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantParfum
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientNatto Gum
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingPoloxamer 235
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantTocophersolan
AntioxidantPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantMagnolia Obovata Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, PEG-100 Stearate, Parfum, Caffeine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Beta-Glucan, Palmitic Acid, Natto Gum, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Limonene, Geraniol, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hydroxycitronellal, Poloxamer 235, Betaine, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Ethoxydiglycol, Tocophersolan, Poloxamer 338, Glucose, Magnolia Obovata Bark Extract, Caprylyl Glycol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholCaprylic/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 Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LinaloolPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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