What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingC15-19 Alkane
SolventZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentSalvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Lactic Acid
BufferingAcetic Acid
BufferingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 20, C15-19 Alkane, Zea Mays Starch, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract, Bisabolol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantColloidal Oatmeal
AbsorbentAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantTasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntioxidantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientLecithin
EmollientCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycine Max Oil
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
T-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Madecassoside, Colloidal Oatmeal, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Ceramide EOP, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Asiaticoside, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Carbomer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Arginine, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Glycine Max Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Disodium EDTA, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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 TriglycerideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPentylene 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 GlycolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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