What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlucose
HumectantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingFarnesol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Squalane, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Silica, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glucose, Cellulose Gum, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Mica, CI 77491, CI 77891, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Farnesol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningRhodochrosite Extract
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
BufferingAmodimethicone
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveSorbic Acid
PreservativeCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Betaine, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Rose Extract, Rhodochrosite Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Adenosine, Carbomer, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891, Citric Acid, Amodimethicone, CI 77491, CI 14700, Tin Oxide, Sorbic Acid, CI 19140, Benzophenone-4, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
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 TriglycerideCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Glycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil is the oil extracted from the seeds of the meadowfoam plant. This oil is non-fragrant and is an emollient. As an emollient, meadowfoam seed oil helps soften and hydrate the skin.
Meadowfoam seed oil is stable and has a long shelf life due to its chemical structure. It has the highest concentration of stable fatty-acids among plant oils, preventing it from degrading once exposed to oxygen.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Meadowfoam is native to California and Oregon.
Learn more about Limnanthes Alba Seed OilPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
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 HydroxideTamarindus Indica Seed Gum is from the seeds of Tamarindus indica. It is more commonly known as tamarind.
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum is used as a texture enhancer, emulsifier, and skin conditioner.
When added to products, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum helps thicken and create a gel-like texture.
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum is a humectant. It helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This keeps your skin hydrated.
Emulsion stabilizing ingredients help stabilize a product. They work by stabilizing two non-mixable ingredients. An example would be oil and water.
Learn more about Tamarindus Indica Seed GumTocopherol 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