What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Collagen
Moisturising
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSyringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glucose
Humectant
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Jojoba Esters, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Triethylhexanoin, Niacinamide, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Collagen, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Oligopeptide-1, Allantoin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Panthenol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Sorbitan Olivate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Glucose, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Olivate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Pentaisononanoate
EmollientLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arginine Ferulate
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Pistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningLactose
HumectantMilk Protein
Skin ConditioningSwertia Chirata Extract
HumectantElettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Yogurt Extract
Skin ConditioningHedychium Spicatum Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract
Masking
Sophora Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Phytate
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingEthylene Brassylate
MaskingMethyl Undecylenate
Perfuming
Ethyl Undecylenate
Perfuming
Phenylisohexanol
MaskingPolystyrene
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Bacillus Ferment, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Maltodextrin, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipentaerythrityl Pentaisononanoate, Lactobacillus, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Plankton Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine Ferulate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Lactose, Milk Protein, Swertia Chirata Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Yogurt Extract, Hedychium Spicatum Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract, Sophora Japonica Flower Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Ethylene Brassylate, Methyl Undecylenate, Ethyl Undecylenate, Phenylisohexanol, Polystyrene, Sodium Ascorbate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Isohexadecane, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Alcohol, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenethyl Alcohol, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Mica, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCaprylic/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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSodium 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 TocopherolThis extract comes from the blueberry native to North America. It has great antioxidant and skin soothing properties.
The antioxidant properties from blueberries come from its polyphenolic and vitamin C content. Polyphenols are a compound famous for their antioxidant properties and are commonly found in fruits.
A 2023 study found blueberries to protect skin from UV-B related inflammation. However, this ingredient should not replace your sunscreen.
Learn more about Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit 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
