What's inside
What's inside
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 ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventOleyl Erucate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Oleyl Erucate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Coco-Glucoside, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Cetyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hyaluronic Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
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 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 EthylhexylglycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol 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
