What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion Stabilising
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Glucose
Humectant
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Leaf/Stem Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Chlorphenesin, Glucose, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Carbomer, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventVanilla Planifolia Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningSecale Cereale Seed Extract
Abrasive
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingVanilla Planifolia Leaf Cell Extract
Antioxidant
Vanilla Planifolia Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutamylamidoethyl Imidazole
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion Stabilising
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Amodimethicone
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Methylpropanediol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Water, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Leaf Cell Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Flower Extract, Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Parfum, Sodium Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Amodimethicone, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Caramel
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 TriglycerideCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoateLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil is the oil extracted from the seeds of the meadowfoam plant. This oil is non-fragrant and is an emollient. As an emollient, meadowfoam seed oil helps soften and hydrate the skin.
Meadowfoam seed oil is stable and has a long shelf life due to its chemical structure. It has the highest concentration of stable fatty-acids among plant oils, preventing it from degrading once exposed to oxygen.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Meadowfoam is native to California and Oregon.
Learn more about Limnanthes Alba Seed OilPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTamarindus Indica Seed Gum is from the seeds of Tamarindus indica. It is more commonly known as tamarind.
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum is used as a texture enhancer, emulsifier, and skin conditioner.
When added to products, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum helps thicken and create a gel-like texture.
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum is a humectant. It helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This keeps your skin hydrated.
Emulsion stabilizing ingredients help stabilize a product. They work by stabilizing two non-mixable ingredients. An example would be oil and water.
Learn more about Tamarindus Indica Seed GumTocopherol 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 TocopherolTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. 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
