What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsopentyldiol
HumectantEthylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientTetradecane
PerfumingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Sh-Heptapeptide-12 Sp
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPullulan
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Phytate
Diglycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePolyvinyl Alcohol
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopentyldiol, Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate, Squalane, Tetradecane, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, Ferulic Acid, Arginine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Palmitoyl Sh-Heptapeptide-12 Sp, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Pullulan, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Sodium Phytate, Diglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Silica, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningC15-19 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Propanediol
SolventCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantMethylglucoside Phosphate
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantCopper Lysinate/Prolinate
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningApium Graveolens Seed Extract
AntioxidantLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-50
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningHeptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingParfum
MaskingEthylene Brassylate
MaskingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Trioleate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPullulan
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPhenylpropanol
MaskingPolyvinyl Alcohol
Water, C15-19 Alkane, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Moringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Sodium Polyglutamate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Methylglucoside Phosphate, Sodium PCA, Copper Lysinate/Prolinate, Plankton Extract, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-50, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Glucomannan, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lactate, Parfum, Ethylene Brassylate, Trihydroxystearin, Sorbitan Trioleate, Carbomer, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Pullulan, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Phenylpropanol, Polyvinyl Alcohol
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 GlycerinThis ingredient is a combination of two AHAs, lactic acid and glycolic acid. It has exfoliating properties
Phenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for Polyvinyl Alcohol yet.
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 PropanediolPullulan is a low viscosity polysaccharide (a long chain carbohydrate) with binding and film forming properties when dissolved in water. It is used to create a "silicone-like" or silky feel in cosmetics without adding viscosity.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's ability to easily dissolves makes it a great carrier for active ingredients.
Due to it being edible and tasteless, you'll likely find this ingredient in breath freshener strips. This ingredient is produced from the starch of the fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans.
Pullulan is stable over a broad-range of pH.
Learn more about PullulanThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 BenzoateTocopherol 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 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