What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Fusanus Spicatus Kernel Oil
Emollient
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Sucrose Laurate
Emollient
Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed
Perfuming
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Lavandula Hybrida Grosso Herb Oil
Perfuming
Citrus Limon Fruit Oil
Astringent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Triolein, Glycerin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Fusanus Spicatus Kernel Oil, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Retinol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Behentrimonium Chloride, Sucrose Laurate, Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Grosso Herb Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Eugenol, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid
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 TriglyceridePolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about Retinol
