What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsododecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Propanediol
SolventHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPEG-6 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantArachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCarnosine
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantNymphaea Lotus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHesperetin Laurate
AntioxidantNymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantDiacetyl Boldine
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBenzaldehyde
MaskingWater, Caprylyl Methicone, Glycerin, Isododecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Magnesium Sulfate, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, PEG-6 Isostearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Retinyl Palmitate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Carnosine, Propylene Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Nymphaea Lotus Flower Extract, Hesperetin Laurate, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Diacetyl Boldine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzaldehyde
Water
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSodium Chloride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPropylene Carbonate
SolventPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientParfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantIsostearic Acid
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C9-12 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Pentylene Glycol, Silica, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Propylene Carbonate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum, Tocopherol, Isostearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
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 TriglycerideCitric 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 AcidDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium 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.
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 PropanediolThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateSodium 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 Water