What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
C9-12 Alkane
SolventDimethicone
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-14
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientCucumis Sativus Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingPhytosteryl Canola Glycerides
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantSqualane
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingOleic Acid
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingHydroxystearic Acid
CleansingTriolein
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientEthoxydiglycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC9-12 Alkane, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Trisiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14, Ceramide NP, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Squalane, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Hydroxystearic Acid, Triolein, Bisabolol, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Ethoxydiglycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Mica, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Raffinose
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingMadecassoside
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentPiper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin ConditioningMonascus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tromethamine
BufferingWater, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Polysilicone-11, Raffinose, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Madecassoside, Polyquaternium-51, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Oryza Sativa Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Algae Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Monascus Extract, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Adenosine, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-12, Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipropylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Beta-Glucan, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Fructooligosaccharides, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Retinol, Cholesterol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tromethamine
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 TriglycerideCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPolysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
Sodium 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 (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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 Water