What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Vinyldimethicone
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSedum Sarmentosum Extract
HumectantCetraria Islandica Extract
CleansingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentMesembryanthemum Crystallinum Extract
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Trideceth-10
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Glucose
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Boswellia Carterii Oil
Masking
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Methyl Trimethicone, Vinyldimethicone, C14-22 Alcohols, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sedum Sarmentosum Extract, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Trideceth-10, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Myristic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Glucose, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Propanediol, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol
Sea Water
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ecklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sea Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Allantoin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Adenosine, Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Carbomer, Arginine, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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
