What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Eperua Falcata Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Ceteareth-6
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phytate
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Nylon-12
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Propylene Carbonate
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDextrin
AbsorbentPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Propanediol, Synthetic Wax, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Eperua Falcata Bark Extract, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Oleate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Ceteareth-6, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Cyclodextrin, Adenosine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Nylon-12, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propylene Carbonate, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dextrin, Pisum Sativum Extract, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15985, CI 77891, Parfum
Tridecyl Stearate
Emollient
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingHexyldecyl Stearate
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Whey Protein
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientDisodium Cocoamphodipropionate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Artemia Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Oleth-10 Phosphate
SurfactantParfum
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Isoceteth-20
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantTridecyl Stearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acetyl Glucosamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Hexyldecyl Stearate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Whey Protein, Algae Extract, Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbitol, Artemia Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Bisabolol, Caffeine, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stearyl Alcohol, Oleth-10 Phosphate, Parfum, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isoceteth-20, Triethanolamine, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 14700
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Stearyl Alcohol
