What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Sorbitol, C15-19 Alkane, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Citric Acid, Polyglycerin-6, Tocopheryl Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
Emulsifying
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Fructose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Urea
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Methylparaben
Preservative
Serine
Masking
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sorbitol
Humectant
Propylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentSucrose
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Chloride
MaskingGeraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Alanine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Hexyl Nicotinate
EmollientHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Water, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Pentylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Fructose, Glucose, Maltodextrin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Urea, Sodium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Methylparaben, Serine, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitol, Propylparaben, Parfum, Dextrin, Sucrose, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Geraniol, Limonene, Alanine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinThis 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 TriglycerideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolTocopheryl 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
