What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCitrus Glauca Fruit Extract
HumectantMicrocitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Microcitrus Australis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientTin Oxide
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCitronellol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Caprylate, Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Microcitrus Australis Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, Mica, Pentylene Glycol, Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, Tin Oxide, Citric Acid, Parfum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 77891, CI 77492, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Citrus Limon Fruit Water
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingCitric Acid
Buffering
Manganese PCA
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Limonene
Perfuming
Pinene
Masking
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Alpha-Arbutin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium PCA, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Carbomer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Magnesium PCA, Citrus Limon Fruit Water, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc PCA, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Citric Acid, Manganese PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Sorbate, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Limonene, Pinene, CI 14700, CI 15985
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 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 LimonenePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
