What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Coco-Caprylate, Squalane, CI 77891, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Levulinate, Lecithin, Trihydroxystearin, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Panax Quinquefolius Root Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Coco-Caprylate, Glycerin, Persea Gratissima Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Panax Quinquefolius Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
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 TriglycerideCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Coco-Caprylate is a lightweight emollient made by combining coconut-derived fatty alcohols (caprylic and capric acid).
Its primary role in formulas is as a skin-softening emollient with excellent spreadability (it's considered a plant-based alternative to silicone oils like dimethicone).
This ingredient is considered safe for use and concentrations range from 0.5-62%.
Caprylic and capric fall outside the C11-24 range that Malassezia feeds on, and a 2020 study found caprylic acid disrupted Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Coco-CaprylateGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate is a plant-derived, oil-soluble emulsifier. It keeps water-in-oil emulsions stable to prevent the ingredients from separating.
On the safety front, it's considered non-irritating and well-tolerated (it can even be found in formulations for baby skin).
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because research has shown that the Malassezia species can grow in the presence of fatty acid esters with chain lengths above C12 (and this one is C18).
While it does have a comedogenic rating of 4, the comedogenic rating scale was developed from rabbit ear models which has limited clinical relevance to human skin. Studies also show that comedogenic ingredients cannot predict how the overall formula will behave on human skin.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 DiisostearateSodium 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 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
