What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
CleansingIsohexadecane
EmollientCellulose
Absorbent
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Behenate, Butylene Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Isohexadecane, Cellulose, Retinol, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbic Acid, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate 14.3%
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Gossypium Herbaceum Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Milk Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Lactose
HumectantArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Phenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Lupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Water, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate 14.3%, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Isopentyldiol, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Betaine, Allantoin, Trehalose, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Sodium Lactate, Gossypium Herbaceum Extract, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycine, Alanine, Lecithin, Royal Jelly Extract, Milk Extract, Polysorbate 20, Propolis Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Lactose, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Threonine, Proline, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Hyaluronic Acid, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phospholipids, Phytosphingosine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Ceramide NP, Lactic Acid, Cholesterol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Madecassoside, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-2, Hexapeptide-11, Phytosterols, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 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 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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
