What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC13-16 Isoalkane
SolventHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSorbic Acid
PreservativeCedrus Deodara Wood Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed
PerfumingCitrus Medica Limonum Peel
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-6
HumectantAzelaic Acid
BufferingBetaine
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPsoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
EmollientTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Crithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, C13-16 Isoalkane, Heptyl Undecylenate, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Cedrus Deodara Wood Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel, Polyglycerin-6, Azelaic Acid, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Psoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCellulose Acetate Butyrate
Cetearyl Olivate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventArginine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingThreonine
Histidine
HumectantProline
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium PCA
HumectantPCA
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningNicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingBacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingTricaprylin
PerfumingC13-14 Alkane
SolventC15-23 Alkane
SolventLecithin
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveSilica Silylate
EmollientSodium Carbonate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Retinol, Mandelic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Propanediol, Arginine, Alanine, Valine, Isoleucine, Glycine, Serine, Threonine, Histidine, Proline, Phenylalanine, Aspartic Acid, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Sodium PCA, PCA, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Acetyl Glutamine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Decyl Glucoside, Tricaprylin, C13-14 Alkane, C15-23 Alkane, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Silica Silylate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 ingredient’s 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium 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 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 HyaluronateWater. 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