What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientHydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Glyceryl Esters
Emulsifying
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dextran
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Phytate
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Palmitate, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Myristyl Myristate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Glyceryl Esters, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Niacinamide, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Bakuchiol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Diheptyl Succinate, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Saccharide Isomerate, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dextran, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phytate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Water, Propanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Madecassoside, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf 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.
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 TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHydrogenated Vegetable Oil is created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to give it more stability. This process also raises the melting point of vegetable oil. In cosmetics, it is an emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
The term "Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil" is an umbrella term and can refer to a variety of vegetable oils and blends of: sunflower oil, soybean oil, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and more.
Due to the differences in vegetables, the benefits may vary.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Vegetable OilPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol 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 PropanediolTocopherol 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 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
