What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingIsododecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingLinoleic Acid
CleansingC15-19 Alkane
SolventTriolein
Skin ConditioningLinolenic Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Hull Extract
MoisturisingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Dioleate
EmollientPolyglycerin-6
HumectantParfum
MaskingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingIpomoea Batatas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-21
Skin ConditioningS-Pea Oligopeptide-1 Sp
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Niacinamide, Isododecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triheptanoin, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Linoleic Acid, C15-19 Alkane, Triolein, Linolenic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Oryza Sativa Hull Extract, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Dioleate, Polyglycerin-6, Parfum, Sorbitan Oleate, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Pentapeptide-21, S-Pea Oligopeptide-1 Sp, Saccharomyces Lysate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSynechococcus Elongatus Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientNymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantTuber Aestivum Extract
Skin ProtectingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantStearic Acid
CleansingSucrose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeWater, Squalane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Synechococcus Elongatus Lysate Filtrate, Jojoba Esters, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Palmitic Acid, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Tuber Aestivum Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Propanediol, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Stearic Acid, Sucrose, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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