What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialHydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingOctyldodecanol
EmollientBis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
EmollientPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCellulose Acetate Butyrate
Polyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Sodium Chloride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Propylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polysilicone-11, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Dextrin, Oryza Sativa Extract, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Limonene, T-Butyl Alcohol, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Polyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Oenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantYucca Aloifolia Leaf/Root Extract
MaskingLinoleic Acid
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialQuercetin Caprylate
AntioxidantGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGlycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantSymphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientTetrapeptide-21
Skin ConditioningCopper PCA
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantUrea
BufferingBisabolol
AntioxidantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialLinolenic Acid
CleansingAcrylates/Carbamate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingOctoxynol-9
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientIsosteareth-200 Linoleate
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCholesterol
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingOenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Water, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Yucca Aloifolia Leaf/Root Extract, Linoleic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Quercetin Caprylate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Extract, Retinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Tetrapeptide-21, Copper PCA, Sodium PCA, Urea, Bisabolol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Linolenic Acid, Acrylates/Carbamate Copolymer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Phytosphingosine, Zinc PCA, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Laureth-7, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Octoxynol-9, Glyceryl Oleate, Isosteareth-200 Linoleate, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Cholesterol, Polyacrylamide, Xanthan Gum, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum