What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Ceteareth-25
CleansingCeteareth-20
CleansingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCopper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin Conditioning
Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhenylpropanol
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Alpha-Arbutin, Ceteareth-25, Ceteareth-20, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl Palmitate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenylpropanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOlive Oil Decyl Esters
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Stoechas Extract
MaskingImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Squalene
Emollient
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingOleic Acid
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Citral
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Olive Oil Decyl Esters, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Stearic Acid, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Lavandula Stoechas Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Inulin, Dimethicone, Palmitic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Panthenol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Squalene, Cellulose Gum, Carbomer, Oleic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Geraniol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
Tocopheryl 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 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
