What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientCoco-Caprylate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-11
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-75 Stearate
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingRetinol
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLinoleic Acid
CleansingOleic Acid
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientSteareth-2
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycolic Acid, C10-18 Triglycerides, Coco-Caprylate, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Diisostearyl Malate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Panthenol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-75 Stearate, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polysorbate 60, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Retinol, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate
EmollientHydrogenated Farnesene
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventCeteareth-6 Olivate
EmulsifyingDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-11
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Coco-Caprylate, Hydrogenated Farnesene, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Ceteareth-6 Olivate, Distarch Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Copper Tripeptide-1, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Gluconate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCoco-Caprylate is created from fatty coconut alcohol and caprylic acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel. It may help solubilize other ingredients, or help other ingredients be dispersed evenly.
Coco-Caprylate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-CaprylateDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a type of silicone.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateWe don't have a description for Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11 yet.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolThis is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateTocopherol 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