What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Cellulose
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDiglycerin
Humectant
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pinus Pinaster Bark/Bud Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Davidii Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPeucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Squalane, Cellulose Gum, Diglycerin, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Polysorbate 60, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pinus Pinaster Bark/Bud Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Buddleja Davidii Leaf Extract, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Arginine
Masking
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Polyester-5
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Canola Oil
Emollient
Amylopectin
Citric Acid
Buffering
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Dna
Skin ConditioningWater, Dibutyl Adipate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Arginine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Polyester-5, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Pentylene Glycol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Coco-Caprylate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Lauroyl Lysine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Lecithin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Ectoin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Propylene Glycol, Canola Oil, Amylopectin, Citric Acid, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Carbomer, Beta-Carotene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dna
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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate can also help other preservatives be more effective.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
