What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCucumis Sativus Fruit
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientStearyl Heptanoate
EmollientHydrolyzed Hazelnut Protein
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSaccharomyces/Grape Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMannitol
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingPrunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment
Skin ConditioningPectin
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus Fruit, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Stearyl Heptanoate, Hydrolyzed Hazelnut Protein, Cetearyl Olivate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Saccharomyces/Grape Ferment Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Mannitol, Lactic Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Benzyl Alcohol, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Phospholipids, Yeast Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Pectin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Medicago Sativa Extract, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingJojoba Esters
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Glycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Manihot Esculenta Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingSophora Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ProtectingAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientMalachite Extract
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCetyl Palmitate
EmollientPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGallyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jojoba Esters, Cetearyl Olivate, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Oleate, Hydrolyzed Manihot Esculenta Tuber Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Sophora Japonica Flower Extract, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Malachite Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Cetyl Palmitate, Propyl Gallate, Polyglycerin-3, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Carbonate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholThis 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 ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl 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 AlcoholCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinLaminaria Digitata Extract comes from the dark brown seaweed, Laminaria Digitata. It is a potent antioxidant, which also provides soothing and hydrating benefits.
Many studies show the antioxidant components of Laminaria Digitata to help with anti-inflammation.
This ingredient is rich in amino acids, proteins, sugars, and vitamins. Small amounts of minerals such as phosphorous, iron, potassium, and copper are also found the seaweed.
These components help hydrate and nourish your skin's natural barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier leads to more youthful looking skin and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Laminaria Digitata is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean.
What's the difference between algae and seaweed?
Algae is a broad term that includes seaweed. Not all algae is seaweed.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Sorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTocopherol 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