What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Glutathione
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Glucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Xymenynic Acid
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientSorbitol
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
C13-16 Isoparaffin
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyisobutene
Silica
Abrasive
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
Emulsifying
Acetyl Zingerone
Antioxidant
Asparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCucumis Sativus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
PEG-8 Methyl Ether Triethoxysilane
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, CI 77891, Niacinamide, Ascorbic Acid, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Glutathione, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Xymenynic Acid, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Mica, Triheptanoin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Sorbitol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyisobutene, Silica, Hexylene Glycol, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Acetyl Zingerone, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-8 Methyl Ether Triethoxysilane, Gold, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77492, CI 77491
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phytic Acid
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Squalene
Emollient
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, Escin, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Tocopherol, Phytic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene
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 TriglycerideDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateWater. 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
