What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Vinyldimethicone
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Stellaria Media Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Synthetic Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Butylene Glycol, Vinyldimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ozokerite, Glycerin, Polyethylene, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Stellaria Media Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Cholesterol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Sodium Chloride, Microcrystalline Wax, Bisabolol, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Stearate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Tabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glucose
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polyethylene, Microcrystalline Wax, Octyldodecanol, Triethylhexanoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Adenosine, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Tabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glucose, Arginine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Citric Acid, CI 77220, Ascorbic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine, Glutathione, Collagen Extract
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.
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
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
Octyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
This ingredient is a form of glycerin with emulsifying and emollient properties.
As an emulsifier, this ingredient helps keep products together while adding a thick texture. The manufacturer states this ingredient has emollient properties. Emollients help keep the skin hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is created by reacting diglycerin and isostearic acid. Due to the isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateWater. 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
