What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBeeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Stearyl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Palm Acid
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Palmitic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Ozokerite, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Stearic Acid, Arginine, Carbomer, Beeswax, Stearyl Stearate, Hydrogenated Palm Acid, Myristyl Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Oleic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glyceryl Stearates
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningVinyldimethicone
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientBroussonetia Kazinoki Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearates, Caprylyl Methicone, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Vinyldimethicone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Dimethiconol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Cholesterol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Broussonetia Kazinoki Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylic/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 synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateLonicera Japonica Flower Extract comes from the honeysuckle flower.
Honeysuckles have skin protecting, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains many antioxidants, such as luteolin, caffeic acid, loniflavone, and chlorogenic acids.
This honeysuckle is native to East Asia and used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever and inflammation.
Learn more about Lonicera Japonica Flower ExtractWater. 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
