What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingBakuchiol
AntimicrobialStevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Squalene
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingPropanediol
SolventLecithin
EmollientPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Medicago Sativa Extract
TonicHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCalcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhytic Acid
Water, Diisopropyl Adipate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Isoamyl Laurate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Triethylhexanoin, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Bakuchiol, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Lactic Acid, Gluconolactone, Lactobacillus, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Magnesium Sulfate, Squalene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Propanediol, Lecithin, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Sodium Phytate, Medicago Sativa Extract, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Lysolecithin, Maltodextrin, Glycine Soja Oil, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Beta-Sitosterol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Phytic Acid
Pyrus Malus Juice
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Juice
AntioxidantCitrus Limon Juice
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Leaf Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Reticulata Peel Oil
MaskingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingCinnamomum Camphora Wood Oil
MaskingPyrus Malus Juice, Vitis Vinifera Juice, Citrus Limon Juice, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract, Citrus Limon Leaf Cell Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Stearic Acid, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora Wood Oil
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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium 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 SorbateJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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 Tocopherol