What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide 10%
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycereth-26
Humectant
C12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Calcium Chloride
AstringentSalicylic Acid
Masking
Gellan Gum
Honokiol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingGlucose
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Panax Ginseng Adventitious Root Extracellular Vesicles
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentLecithin
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientGlycine
Buffering
Cholesterol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide 10%, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycereth-26, C12-14 Alketh-12, Polysorbate 20, Calcium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Gellan Gum, Honokiol, Panthenol, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Citrate, Glucose, Adenosine, Citric Acid, Panax Ginseng Adventitious Root Extracellular Vesicles, Dextrin, Lecithin, Silica, Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Glycine, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Tocopherol, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 TriglycerideGlycine Soja Oil is a plant-derived oil from soybean seeds. Like other oils, it is rich in essential fatty acids (mostly linoleic and oleic) that support skin hydration and barrier function.
The fatty acids are able to integrate into the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum to help soften skin and reduce water loss.
On top of that, soybean oil is rich in vitamins like vitamin E, a potent antioxidant.
Research on soybean's active components also point to anti-inflammatory, collagen-stimulating, antioxidant activity, and protection against UV-induced oxidative damage.
Most of this research applies to the broader soybean plant and not just the oil fraction alone.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to the oleic acid content.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinRetinol 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 RetinolTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
