What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Bentonite
Absorbent
Ethylhexyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningDiacetyl Boldine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Silica, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Boron Nitride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Bentonite, Ethylhexyl Ferulate, Plankton Extract, Diacetyl Boldine, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Coco-Glucoside, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Junos Seed Oil
Emollient
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentTin Oxide
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingDocosahexaenoic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Emollient
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Citrus Junos Peel Oil
Astringent
Sodium Phytate
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Monascus Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Stearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Bakuchiol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Junos Seed Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Betaine, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Carbomer, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Dextrin, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Sorbitol, Phosphatidylcholine, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Citrus Junos Peel Oil, Sodium Phytate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phytosphingosine, Monascus Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tromethamine, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDimethicone 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinās lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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
