What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningVegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Cetearyl Olivate
Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Stearate
Emollient
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingJojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSqualene
Emollient
Salinicoccus Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Amylopectin
Cucurbita Maxima Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningPolydextrose
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentBacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Vegetable Oil, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycolic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Cetyl Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Squalene, Salinicoccus Lysate Filtrate, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Urea, Amylopectin, Cucurbita Maxima Fruit Extract, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Polydextrose, Dextrin, Bacillus Ferment, Phytosterols, Folic Acid, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Oligopeptide-2, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexapeptide-11, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-3, Propylene Carbonate, Potassium Sorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningColloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
C13-15 Alkane
SolventCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caffeine, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Colloidal Oatmeal, Allantoin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Phytate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Glucose, Tocopherol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, C13-15 Alkane, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA
Reviews
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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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
