What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ceteareth-20
CleansingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualene
Emollient
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Caffeyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Rhamnose
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glucuronic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Diisopropyl Adipate, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ceteareth-20, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyester-7, Aminomethyl Propanol, Beta-Carotene, Beta-Sitosterol, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Lecithin, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Squalene, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Caffeyl Glucoside, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Glucose, Glycerin, Phytic Acid, Rhamnose, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Glucuronic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lysolecithin, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polysorbate 60, Propanediol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Squalane
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caffeyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCI 10020
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Gallyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingRosmarinyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Sulfate
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Silica, Squalane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Caffeyl Glucoside, Carbomer, CI 10020, CI 42090, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Gallyl Glucoside, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Rosmarinyl Glucoside, Sodium Sulfate, Saccharide Isomerate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Caffeyl Glucoside is an antioxidant.
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene 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 GlycolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
