What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate 2.36%
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBHA
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Retinyl Palmitate 2.36%, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Octyldodeceth-16, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C12-14 Alketh-12, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, BHT, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, BHA, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Ascorbic Acid, Collagen Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningInonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAgar
MaskingUbiquinone
AntioxidantTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Flower Extract
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-29
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Agar, Ubiquinone, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Morinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-29, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-12, Hexapeptide-9, Tripeptide-2, Nonapeptide-1, Hexapeptide-11
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAdenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylic/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 ingredientās 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 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 PropanediolTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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