What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclotetrasiloxane
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Emollient
Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf/Stem Extract
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Bitartrate
BufferingKojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides
Emollient
Darutoside
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Squalane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Glycine Soja Protein, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Ceteareth-20, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf/Stem Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Potassium Bitartrate, Kojic Dipalmitate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Carbomer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethiconol, Retinol, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Superoxide Dismutase, PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides, Darutoside, Ubiquinone, Phytosphingosine, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Alcohol, Ascorbic Acid, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
Emulsifying
Petrolatum
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicLecithin
Emollient
Cutaneous Lysate
MoisturisingTetrapeptide-21
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocotrienols
Skin Conditioning
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Capryloyl Carnosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Squalene
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingIsohexadecane
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Petrolatum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Bisabolol, Caffeine, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Lecithin, Cutaneous Lysate, Tetrapeptide-21, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Citric Acid, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Tocotrienols, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Capryloyl Carnosine, Tocopherol, Benzoic Acid, Squalene, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Acetate, Phytosterols, Sodium Citrate, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholThis 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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 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.
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 HyaluronateWater. 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
