What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCoco-Caprylate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantRosa Moschata Seed Oil
EmollientTranexamic Acid
AstringentHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantBidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingLecithin
EmollientSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Coco-Caprylate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Alpha-Arbutin, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Tranexamic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Tocopherol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Lecithin, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lauryl Glucoside, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningBidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantBixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyltrimonium Maltodextrin Crosspolymer
SurfactantLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeRaspberry Seed Oil/Tocopheryl Succinate Aminopropanediol Esters
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Trisiloxane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Maltodextrin Crosspolymer, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Raspberry Seed Oil/Tocopheryl Succinate Aminopropanediol Esters, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Bidens Pilosa Extract yet.
Caprylic/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 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis ingredient is also known as African Palm Oil. It is a plant-based emollient that is slightly occlusive leaning.
As an emollient, it helps moisturize the skin and supports the lipid barrier. Clinical testing found it improved skin hydration, reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and increased skin elasticity.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has assessed the available safety data and found it to safe in cosmetics.
The comedogenic rating of 2/5 means it is low-to-moderate risk of pore clogging; please remember comedogenic ratings cannot predict how the overall formula will behave on skin.
Because its dominant fatty acids (palmitic and oleic acid) fall within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can use as a growth substrate, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Elaeis Guineensis OilGlycerin (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 GlycerinGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil is AKA cotton seed oil.
Cotton seed oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids. The majority of these fatty acids include linoleic (~54%) and oleic (~19%). It is structurally similar to sunflower seed oil.
When used in cosmetics, this ingredient is refined and purified to remove toxins naturally found in the plant.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe due to the fatty acid content.
Learn more about Gossypium Herbaceum Seed OilThis ingredient is also known as flaxseed oil or linseed oil. It is created by cold-pressing the seeds of the flax plant and is rich in fatty acids.
This oil is packed with omega-3 (ALA), omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids that closely mimic the skin's own natural lipid barrier. The high omega-3 content gives it solid anti-inflammatory properties.
Clinical studies have found it can reduce water loss and improve smoothness/hydration, particularly in sensitive skin types. Studies also suggest it helps maintain the lipid layer that is compromised in atopic (eczema-prone) skin.
Wound healing studies showed that low-concentration linseed oil formulations (1-5%) produced significant barrier repair, but it should be noted that high concentrations showed diminishing returns.
Due to the rich fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Linum Usitatissimum Seed OilNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePropanediol 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 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 Water