What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Maris Aqua
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Saccharide Isomerate, Phosphatidylcholine, Cholesterol, Mannitol, Maris Aqua, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Olus Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Swertia Chirata Extract
HumectantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Eperua Falcata Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingHordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Chitosan
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Tropolone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Olus Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Candelilla Cera, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Trehalose, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Swertia Chirata Extract, Maltodextrin, Eperua Falcata Bark Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycine Soja Oil, Chitosan, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glycolic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Oleate, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Tropolone, 1,2-Hexanediol
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 CrosspolymerThis 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 TriglycerideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolTocopherol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
