What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingCorylus Avellana Seed Oil
Emollient
Acacia Farnesiana Flower Extract
Perfuming
Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Surfactant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Propanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Decyl Glucoside, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Acacia Farnesiana Flower Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Sorbitan Olivate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Acrylates Copolymer
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glyceryl Ether
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Cocoate, Glycolipids, Tocopherol, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Lauroyl Lysine, Polyglutamic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lactobacillus Ferment, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Citrate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Caprylic/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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSodium 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 CitrateSodium 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 HydroxideTocopherol 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
