What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantTapioca Starch
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialAcrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPolyisobutene
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Limonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLeptospermum Petersonii Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Polyisobutene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Limonene, Citral, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Leptospermum Petersonii Oil, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingLimonene
PerfumingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Linalool
PerfumingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientHydrated Silica
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCitronellol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantGeraniol
PerfumingCereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitral
PerfumingDarutoside
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantGlucose
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Poloxamer 338, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Limonene, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Ceramide NP, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 60, Citronellol, Sodium Benzoate, CI 16035, Geraniol, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Citral, Darutoside, CI 42090, Glucose, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 GlycolCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about CitralCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimonenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSilica, 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 SilicaTocopherol 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