What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientJojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientNylon-11
Dicaprylyl Ether
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualene
EmollientHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientPhytosteryl Canola Glycerides
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Gluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Propanediol, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Lecithin, Stearyl Alcohol, Nylon-11, Dicaprylyl Ether, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Squalene, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Phytosterols, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
Zinc Oxide 7.5%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientUndecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingGalactoarabinan
Tridecane
PerfumingPropanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEthyl Ferulate
AntioxidantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Zinc Oxide 7.5%, Water, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Octyldodecanol, Undecane, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glycerin, Mica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Galactoarabinan, Tridecane, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Panthenol, Squalane, Caffeine, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Ethyl Ferulate, Sodium Gluconate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Phenethyl Alcohol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
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 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 GlycerinLecithin 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 LecithinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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