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
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSafflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycerin, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Inulin, Panthenol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Squalane, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
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 TriglycerideCitric 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolSodium 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 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 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
