What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientIris Pallida Leaf Cell Extract
AntioxidantBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Iris Pallida Leaf Cell Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Retinol, Lactic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Ceramide AP, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Triheptanoin, C13-15 Alkane, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningArginine PCA
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil
EmollientSantalum Album Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingJasminum Sambac Flower Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientTephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingTagetes Minuta Flower Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCarnosine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-80
CleansingDidecyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingDianthus Caryophyllus Flower Extract
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethylpropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhytic Acid
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Pentylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Trehalose, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Triheptanoin, Arginine PCA, Diglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Collagen Amino Acids, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil, Santalum Album Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Cistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Phospholipids, Carnosine, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglutamic Acid, Glycolipids, Glycine Soja Sterols, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sclerotium Gum, Polyquaternium-80, Didecyldimonium Chloride, Dianthus Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Methylpropanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Phytic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol 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 TocopherolWe don't have a description for Triheptanoin yet.
Water. 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