What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientJojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientIsosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-14
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPantolactone
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualene
EmollientSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningColloidal Oatmeal
AbsorbentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientMel Extract
MoisturisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientMedicago Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Canola Glycerides
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingMyristyl Myristate
EmollientDilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 75810
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C10-18 Triglycerides, Glycerin, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, C12-16 Alcohols, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Octyldodecanol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Palmitic Acid, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Tetrapeptide-14, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pantolactone, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Tocopherol, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Panthenol, Squalene, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Colloidal Oatmeal, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Mel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Medicago Sativa Seed Extract, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phytosterols, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Myristyl Myristate, Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, CI 75810
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningAmorphophallus Konjac Root Powder
AbrasiveIsohexadecane
EmollientPhytic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetyl Esters, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Methicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Panthenol, Astaxanthin, Linoleic Acid, Tocopherol, Ceramide Ng, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearic Acid, Phospholipids, Phytosterols, Tribehenin, Polysorbate 80, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Trihydroxystearin, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder, Isohexadecane, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Phytosterols are plant-derived sterols (you can think of them as the plant world's version of cholesterol). In cosmetics, this ingredient is usually sourced from soybean, rice bran, shea, sunflower, and other seed oils.
The main actors in this group are β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol (the CIR covers 27 phytosterols).
They work by fitting perfectly into your stratum corneum's lipid matrix since they're structurally similar to cholesterol. Here, they reinforce your skin's barrier.
One small in vivo human study showed topical soybean phytosterols sped up barrier recovery within three days on tape-stripped skin.
Broader research credits them with:
Formulation use typically sit under 5%.
Testing in soy-allergic subjects found no sensitization signals, but be sure to patch test if you are unsure or have existing allergies.
Learn more about PhytosterolsRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSodium 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 Water