What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningRibes Nigrum Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentHydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAlgin
MaskingAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasiveAnhydroxylitol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantLavandula Stoechas Extract
MaskingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
MaskingLinoleic Acid
CleansingPropanediol
SolventLevulinic Acid
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCalcium Citrate
BufferingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phytate
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantLinolenic Acid
CleansingSilica
AbrasiveLinalool
PerfumingTerpineol
MaskingVanillin
MaskingKaolin
AbrasiveWater, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Water, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Sorbitan Stearate, Xylitylglucoside, Algin, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Anhydroxylitol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Xylitol, Lavandula Stoechas Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Linoleic Acid, Propanediol, Levulinic Acid, Xanthan Gum, P-Anisic Acid, Tocopherol, Calcium Citrate, Sodium Levulinate, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, CI 77007, Linolenic Acid, Silica, Linalool, Terpineol, Vanillin, Kaolin
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantSilica
AbrasivePalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingLevulinic Acid
PerfumingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Phytate
Trihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPunica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Salicylate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, C12-16 Alcohols, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Silica, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Levulinic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Levulinate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Polyglutamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Phytate, Trihydroxystearin, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Linalool, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Salicylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 TriglycerideCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides yet.
Levulinic Acid is a fragrance that comes from the degradation of cellulose. It is a saturated fatty acid.
This ingredient is often used a building block for other compounds, such as in pharmaceuticals.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient smells like caramel.
Learn more about Levulinic AcidLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolMicrocrystalline Cellulose is another name for refined wood pulp. It is used as an emulsifier and mattifying ingredient. As an emulsifier, it helps keep ingredients together.
Pentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s 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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. Oncedissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical. It is usually derived from renewable plant sources like corn starch or sugarcane.
In skincare, it mostly acts as a skin conditioning agent that keeps skin soft and hydrated. It also acts as a preservative booster by inhibiting the growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria.
It's often paired with Sodium Anisate as the two create a broad-spectrum preservative system that is popular in "natural" formulations.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be non-irritated and there are no restrictions for use in EU cosmetics. The FDA also allows this ingredient to be used as a food-grade flavoring agent.
Learn more about Sodium LevulinateSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Tocopherol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum