What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Isododecane
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Isododecane, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Arachidyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diisopropyl Adipate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Myristyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, C14-22 Alcohols, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Arachidyl Alcohol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Squalane, Arachidyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Saccharide Isomerate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinArachidyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol made from the the arachidic acid found in peanut oil.
Despite having "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethanol.
This ingredient is a multitasker:
Just be sure to patch this ingredient if you have a peanut allergy (though this ingredient is highly processed and the allergenic proteins are typically removed).
Learn more about Arachidyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a plant-based surfactant and emulsifier. It helps oil and water based ingredients mix evenly to improve formula stability without adding a "greasy" feel.
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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
