What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantUrea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Behenate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ceramide NP, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Chlorphenesin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Althaea Officinalis Root
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyisobutene
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Algin
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Phytate
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Althaea Officinalis Root, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Beta-Glucan, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Algin, Xanthan Gum, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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
