What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Creatine
Skin Conditioning1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Methylpropanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cocoglycerides, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glyceryl Stearate, Folic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Creatine, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 16035, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Trehalose
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
TonicCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Algae Extract
EmollientHordeum Distichon Extract
Skin ProtectingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Canola Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Trehalose, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cholesterol, Sodium Rna, Ceramide Ng, Acetyl Glucosamine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Algae Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Canola Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caffeine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateSodium 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
