What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Silica
Abrasive
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ferulic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Silica, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dodecane
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Dimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningLaureth-12
EmulsifyingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Dimethicone, Dodecane, Polysilicone-11, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Dimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Glycerin, Water, Laureth-12, Pelargonium Graveolens 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.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
