What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPolyisobutene
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentHydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningRutin
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Triethylhexanoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Polyisobutene, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Water, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Butyl Avocadate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Rutin, Parfum
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantOryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Triethylhexanoin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Water, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oryza Sativa Bran Water
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 GlycolThis 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 GlycolEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 PropanediolSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate is a surfactant and emulsifier.
This ingredient is a tetraester from oleic acid and polyethylene glycol ether of sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it helps ingredients such as oil and water mix together. This allows the dirt and oils in your skin to be washed away.
One study found pumpkin oil containing Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate helped hydrate the skin and did not cause any irritation.
Learn more about Sorbeth-30 TetraoleateTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about TriethylhexanoinWater. 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