What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientSqualane
EmollientShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventC13-15 Alkane
SolventCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters
EmulsifyingUrea
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSilybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientOleic Acid
EmollientBlakeslea Trispora Mycelium Extract
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Stearic Acid
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Sulfate
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Octyldodecanol, Squalane, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Propanediol, C13-15 Alkane, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters, Urea, Glycerin, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Sodium Chloride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Oleic Acid, Blakeslea Trispora Mycelium Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lactic Acid, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Carbonate, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77742
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientEctoin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Limon Peel Powder
AbsorbentLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Powder
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantAvena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingTapioca Starch
Algin
MaskingGlyceryl Oleate Citrate
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Ectoin, Maltodextrin, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Limon Peel Powder, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Powder, Sclerotium Gum, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Tapioca Starch, Algin, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate is a plant-derived emulsifier made by combining glycerin and ricinoleic acid.
It works well for giving buttery lip balms and low-viscosity water-in-oil emulsions a non-greasy and pleasant skin feel.
Typical concentrations range from 0.1-3%.
This ingredient is mild and non-irritating in nature.
Because it is derived from ricinoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Ricinoleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleatePropanediol 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 PropanediolJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilTocopherol 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