What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingMelatonin
AntioxidantCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientGardenia Taitensis Flower
Skin ConditioningLespedeza Capitata Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentMagnesium Chloride
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Melatonin, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower, Lespedeza Capitata Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Magnesium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cellulose Gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Parfum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral
Camellia Japonica Flower Water
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientFaex
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialPhytic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCamellia Japonica Flower Water, Water, Squalane, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Propanediol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Faex, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Ceteareth-12, Cetearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Citrate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin (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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 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 BenzoateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
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.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol 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 Water