What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Betaine
Humectant
Honey
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phospholipids, Sodium Hydroxide, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Sphingolipids, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Honey, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 20, Hexylene Glycol
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caramel
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Hydroxylated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTrehalose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingSerine
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingAlgin
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Pullulan
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Menthoxypropanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caramel, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethicone, Oenothera Biennis Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Hydroxylated Lecithin, Trehalose, Urea, Laureth-7, Serine, Betaine, Inositol, Taurine, Algin, BHT, Acacia Senegal Gum, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, 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.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineThis 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
