What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Undecane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hectorite
AbsorbentCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Betulin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Pavlova Lutheri Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Tridecane
Perfuming
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Isoamyl Laurate, Undecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hectorite, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Hyaluronic Acid, Betulin, Tocopherol, Pavlova Lutheri Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Bisabolol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Maltodextrin, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tridecane, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Squalene
Emollient
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Water, Triheptanoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isostearyl Isostearate, C12-16 Alcohols, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Propanediol, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Palmitic Acid, Betaine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Phytosterols, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Squalene, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent that helps cosmetics stay fresh, stable, and consistent over time.
Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product. It also helps prevent the growth of unwanted microbes in products that contain water.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.
Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic AcidCaprylic/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 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 SorbateSodium 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 TocopherolUndaria Pinnatifida Extract comes from a kelp native to the northern Pacific Ocean. It is more commonly known as "wakame".
This kelp contains fatty acids, sodium, calcium, iodine, thiamine, and niacin. Studies show a polysaccharide known as fucoidan exhibits strong antioxidant activities. Fucoidan can be found in the cell walls of many species of brown seaweed.
Wakame prefers cold and temperate oceans. It is used in Japanese and Korean cuisine (yummy!).
Learn more about Undaria Pinnatifida ExtractWater. 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
