What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantGlucose
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
Buffering3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantGlutathione
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Synthetic Beeswax, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Glucose, Carbomer, Tromethamine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Glutathione, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Adenosine, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOxidized Corn Oil
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingLanolin Oil
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCeteareth-33
CleansingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialBetula Alba Bark Extract
MaskingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantMimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingSorbic Acid
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingMyrtus Communis Extract
AstringentAllium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningHypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Citric Acid
BufferingTea-Lactate
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantSerine
MaskingUrea
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningVinegar
Hydrolyzed Silk
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningRhizobian Gum
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAlcohol
AntimicrobialThiamine Hcl
MaskingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oxidized Corn Oil, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Triethanolamine, Lanolin Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-33, Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Yeast Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Phenoxyethanol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Myrtus Communis Extract, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Magnesium Chloride, Citric Acid, Tea-Lactate, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Sorbitol, Serine, Urea, Allantoin, Vinegar, Hydrolyzed Silk, Potassium Sorbate, Gluconolactone, Rhizobian Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorphenesin, Alcohol, Thiamine Hcl, Pyridoxine Hcl, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 TriglycerideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 NiacinamideWater. 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