What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Rubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
Echinacea Angustifolia Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Cetyl Stearate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Dna
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Echinacea Angustifolia Meristem Cell Culture, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycol Distearate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Isostearyl Isostearate, Cetyl Stearate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Dna, Allantoin, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isononyl Isononanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
C13-16 Isoalkane
SolventAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Olivate
Heptyl Undecylenate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Palmitoyl Isoleucine
Skin ProtectingArginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Pantothenate
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingResveratrol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyphosphate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Tricalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantThiamine Hcl
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Isononyl Isononanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, C13-16 Isoalkane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Sorbitan Olivate, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Adenosine, Tromethamine, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Maltodextrin, Ascorbic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Ferulic Acid, Palmitoyl Isoleucine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Calcium Pantothenate, Glycine, Alanine, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Lecithin, Panthenol, Polysorbate 20, Palmitic Acid, Serine, Valine, Resveratrol, Caprylyl Glycol, Isoleucine, Threonine, Proline, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Sodium Polyphosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Sodium Ascorbate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Glucose, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Copper Tripeptide-1, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Biotin, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Cyanocobalamin, Tocopherol, Tripeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hcl, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Linoleic Acid, Tripeptide-2, Hexapeptide-11, Beta-Carotene, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hyaluronic Acid, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate
Reviews
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
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 CrosspolymerCaprylic/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 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 EthylhexylglycerinPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5 is a synthetic signal lipopeptide. This just means it is a three amino acid chain bolted onto a palmitic acid tail so it can slip through the skin's lipid barrier.
This peptide has a "build more, lose less" approach.
It's designed to mimic the collagen-stimulating activity in your skin by copying a snippet of one of your skin's own matrix proteins. This nudges fibroblasts into making more collagen while inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down skin protein.
The manufacturer's in vivo study of 45 volunteers found 1% and 2.5% reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 7% and 12% respectively, after using it twice daily for 84 days.
This is in the expected range for peptides; they're slow and cumulative actives and not overnight fixers.
Typical use levels range from 1-3% and this ingredient gets along with pretty much everything.
On the fungal acne front:
Although palmitic acid sits in the chain length that Malassezia can feed on, this ingredient has it locked in an amine bond. This makes it hard for Malassezia to access as a source of food, and therefore fungal acne safe.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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
