The Complete M.T.S Hydration Routine

Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice Organic, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Vegetable Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Propanediol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Squalane, Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia) Seed Oil Organic, DL-Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Carrageenan, Glucose, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.

What each ingredient does, line by line:

Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice Organic: The juice pressed from aloe vera leaves, and it is the base of this cleanser instead of plain water. It gives the formula a soothing, watery starting point so the wash feels gentle on skin.

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate: A mild cleansing agent made from coconut fatty acids. It is the main ingredient that lifts oil, sunscreen, and daily buildup so they rinse away.

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine: A gentle co-cleanser, also coconut derived. It boosts foam, softens the feel of the stronger cleansers beside it, and helps the lather feel creamy instead of harsh.

Vegetable Glycerin: A plant derived humectant, meaning it pulls water toward the skin. In a cleanser it helps skin feel comfortable after rinsing instead of tight and squeaky.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Another mild coconut derived cleansing agent that supports foam and keeps the overall wash gentle. It is a common partner to the main cleanser above because the two together clean well at lower irritation levels.

Glycol Distearate: A fatty ingredient that gives the foam its pearly, creamy look and feel. It also leaves a light softness behind on the skin.

Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside: A very mild cleanser made from plant sugars and fatty alcohols. It helps dissolve oily residue and rinses clean.

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate: A gentle coconut derived cleansing agent known for the dense, lotion like foam it makes. It cleans without the stripped feeling many foaming cleansers leave.

Propanediol: A humectant and solvent, usually made from corn sugar. It helps other ingredients dissolve evenly and adds a little slip so the foam spreads easily.

Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride: A conditioning ingredient made from guar beans. In a rinse off cleanser it helps skin feel soft and smooth after washing rather than rough.

Gluconolactone: A polyhydroxy acid, a very gentle exfoliating ingredient that works on the surface only. It helps loosen dull surface buildup while being one of the mildest exfoliants used in skincare, and it rinses off with the wash.

Sodium Benzoate: A preservative. A water based formula like this one needs preservation to stay safe from mold and bacteria, and sodium benzoate sits low on the list because a small amount does the job.

Xanthan Gum: A thickener made by fermenting plant sugars. It gives the cleanser body so it pumps and foams properly instead of running like water.

Squalane: A lightweight skin friendly oil, commonly made from olives or sugarcane. It helps the cleanser leave skin feeling soft rather than stripped, and it rinses away with the foam.

Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia) Seed Oil Organic: Oil pressed from macadamia nuts, and the ingredient this cleanser is named for. Its fatty acid profile sits close to the oils skin makes on its own, so it cushions the wash and helps skin feel comfortable after rinsing.

DL-Panthenol (Vitamin B5): The provitamin of vitamin B5, a humectant that draws in water. It helps skin feel soft and calm after cleansing.

Carrageenan: A thickener extracted from red seaweed. It helps give the formula its smooth gel like body.

Glucose: A simple plant sugar that works as a mild humectant. It supports the water holding side of the formula.

Sodium Hydroxide: A pH adjuster used in a very small amount. It is there to bring the finished cleanser to a skin friendly pH, and it is consumed in that balancing process.

Disodium EDTA: A chelating ingredient, meaning it grabs onto minerals in water. That keeps the formula stable and helps the preservatives work properly, especially in hard water areas.

Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid): The salt form of hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that holds water at the skin's surface. Even in a rinse off product it helps skin feel hydrated and comfortable after the wash.

Phenoxyethanol: A lab made preservative, and one of the most widely used in modern skincare. It protects the formula from bacteria and mold so the bottle stays safe to use from first pump to last.

Ethylhexylglycerin: A preservative booster and skin softener made from glycerin. It helps the phenoxyethanol beside it work at a lower level and adds a light conditioned feel.

Free from note, as stated on this product's store page: the formula is listed as having no parabens, no fragrance, and no phthalates.

Water, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Mel (Manuka Honey) Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Root Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Aspartic Acid, Benzoic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Serine, Alanine, Isoleucine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carrageenan, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol.

What each ingredient does, line by line:

Water: The base of the serum and the carrier for everything else. It is a water based formula, which is also why preservatives appear near the end of this list.

Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water: The plant based water phase of the formula, made from the witch hazel plant. It forms part of the liquid base the peptides and humectants are dissolved in.

Glycerin: A humectant that pulls water toward the skin and helps it stay there. It is one of the main reasons the serum helps skin feel hydrated right after application.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice: Juice from aloe vera leaves. It adds a light, soothing water layer and helps the serum feel fresh rather than sticky.

Copper Tripeptide-1: The headline peptide of this formula, a small chain of three amino acids joined with copper, also written as GHK-Cu. It is the peptide people mean when they say copper peptides, and in this serum it supports skin that looks smoother and feels comfortable.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5: A lab made peptide joined to a fatty acid so it can sit comfortably on the skin's surface. It is part of the supporting peptide group that helps skin look smoother and firmer in appearance.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1: A lab made peptide in the same supporting family. It helps skin look smoother and more even in tone in appearance.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38: Another lab made peptide in the stack. Formulas use it as part of the group aimed at skin that looks smoother and more supple.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7: A lab made peptide of four amino acids. It is commonly used in formulas for skin that feels sensitive or reactive, supporting a calm, comfortable feel.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8: A lab made peptide of six amino acids, widely used in serums for the look of expression areas. Here it rounds out the six peptide stack.

Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid): The salt form of hyaluronic acid, a humectant that holds many times its weight in water at the skin's surface. It is central to the hydrated, plump feeling this step gives.

Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Extract: An extract of chia seeds, rich in plant compounds and natural sugars that hold water. It helps the hydrated feeling from this step linger instead of flashing off.

Panax Ginseng Root Extract: An extract of ginseng root, a botanical long used in skincare. In this formula it helps skin look awake and energized.

Mel (Manuka Honey) Extract: An extract of manuka honey. Honey is a natural humectant, so it helps draw in moisture and helps skin feel soft and comfortable.

Centella Asiatica Extract: An extract of the centella plant, sometimes called cica or gotu kola. It is the comfort ingredient people reach for when skin feels cranky, and it supports a calm feel.

Equisetum Arvense Extract: An extract of horsetail, a mineral rich plant. It sits in the botanical support group of this formula.

Geranium Maculatum Extract: An extract of wild geranium root. It is part of the botanical group and is traditionally used in formulas where a toned, balanced feel is the goal.

Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Root Extract: An extract of dandelion root. It rounds out the botanical extracts with plant antioxidants.

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil: Oil pressed from jojoba seeds, technically a liquid wax that closely resembles skin's own sebum. A small amount keeps the water based serum from feeling drying and leaves skin feeling soft.

Sodium PCA: A humectant that is part of skin's natural moisturizing factor, the group of compounds skin itself uses to hold water. It helps the skin hold onto moisture.

Sodium Lactate: Another natural moisturizing factor component and humectant. It supports hydration and helps keep the formula's pH in its intended range.

Arginine: An amino acid and part of the natural moisturizing factor group. It supports hydration and comfortable feeling skin.

Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide: A plant sugar film former from senna seeds, sometimes called botanical hyaluronic acid in marketing. It forms a light, smooth feeling film that helps skin feel hydrated and soft.

Aspartic Acid: An amino acid, part of the natural moisturizing factor group in this formula. Each of these amino acids gets one short line because they travel as a group: skin uses them together to hold water.

Benzoic Acid: A preservative that helps protect the water based formula from mold and yeast. It appears low on the list, at the small levels preservation requires.

PCA: A humectant and core part of the natural moisturizing factor group. It helps skin hold water at the surface.

Glycine: An amino acid, part of the natural moisturizing factor group. It supports the group's water holding job.

Serine: An amino acid, part of the natural moisturizing factor group. It supports the group's water holding job.

Alanine: An amino acid, part of the natural moisturizing factor group. It supports the group's water holding job.

Isoleucine: An amino acid, part of the natural moisturizing factor group. It supports the group's water holding job.

Valine: An amino acid, part of the natural moisturizing factor group. It supports the group's water holding job.

Proline: An amino acid, part of the natural moisturizing factor group. It supports the group's water holding job.

Threonine: An amino acid, part of the natural moisturizing factor group. It supports the group's water holding job.

Histidine: An amino acid, part of the natural moisturizing factor group. It supports the group's water holding job.

Phenylalanine: An amino acid, part of the natural moisturizing factor group. It supports the group's water holding job.

Hydroxyethylcellulose: A thickener made from plant cellulose. It gives the serum its smooth gel texture so it spreads in drops instead of running like water.

Carrageenan: A thickener extracted from red seaweed. It supports the serum's light gel body.

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer: A lab made texture ingredient that builds the clear gel structure of the serum. It sits on the surface as part of the gel and rinses away at cleansing.

Butylene Glycol: A humectant and solvent that helps dissolve the peptides and extracts evenly through the formula. It also helps the serum spread and absorb with a light feel.

Carbomer: A lab made thickener that works with the other gel builders to hold the serum's texture steady in the bottle.

Polysorbate 20: An emulsifier that keeps the small amount of jojoba oil evenly mixed through a water based formula. Without it, the oil and water phases would separate.

Ethylhexylglycerin: A preservative booster made from glycerin. It helps the preservative system work at lower levels.

Phenoxyethanol: A lab made preservative, closing the list. In a water based serum carrying this many botanical extracts, preservation is what keeps the bottle safe from mold and bacteria across months of daily use.

Water, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vegetable Glycerin, Propanediol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil Organic, Jojoba Esters, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Organic, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Astrocaryum (Murumuru) Seed Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, D-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Caramel Organic, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Corn Starch, Acacia Senegal Gum Organic, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract.

What each ingredient does, line by line:

Water: The base of the cream. The oil and butter ingredients below are emulsified through it, which is what makes this a cream instead of a balm.

Squalane: A lightweight, skin friendly oil, commonly made from olives or sugarcane, and second on this list, so it carries real weight in the formula. It softens and smooths the feel of skin without a heavy or greasy finish, and it is the bridge that helps this cream seal in the serum step under it.

Glyceryl Stearate: An emulsifier made from glycerin and plant fatty acids. It is the ingredient that holds the water and oils together as one stable cream.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: A light emollient usually derived from coconut or palm. It gives the cream its silky spread and soft finish.

Vegetable Glycerin: A plant derived humectant that pulls water toward the skin. It supports the hydrated feel under the cream's sealing layer.

Propanediol: A humectant and solvent, usually made from corn sugar. It helps the formula spread smoothly and supports moisture.

Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax: A plant wax from the candelilla shrub. It gives the cream structure and helps the sealing layer stay in place on skin.

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil Organic: Oil pressed from jojoba seeds, technically a liquid wax that closely resembles skin's own sebum. It softens skin and supports the moisture seal.

Jojoba Esters: A firmer form of jojoba, made from the same seed oil. They add body to the cream and a smooth, cushioned feel.

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Organic: Butter pressed from shea nuts. It is a rich emollient that helps skin feel soft, cushioned, and protected from dryness.

Cetearyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol, which is a waxy softener and not a drying alcohol. It thickens the cream and helps skin feel smooth.

Cetearyl Glucoside: A plant sugar based emulsifier that works with the glyceryl stearate to keep the cream stable. Sugar based emulsifiers are a common pick in formulas aimed at comfortable feeling skin.

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate: A ferment made by fermenting radish root. It is part of this cream's preservation support system, helping protect the water based formula.

Astrocaryum (Murumuru) Seed Butter: Butter from the seeds of the murumuru palm, rich in fatty acids. It is a powerful emollient that helps seal moisture into the skin, which is a large part of how this cream keeps skin feeling soft and hydrated.

Cetyl Alcohol: Another fatty alcohol, a waxy ingredient that gives the cream body and a smooth glide. Like cetearyl alcohol above, it softens rather than dries.

Glyceryl Caprylate: An emollient made from glycerin and plant fatty acids that also supports preservation. It does double duty, softening skin while helping keep the formula protected.

Citric Acid: A pH adjuster made by fermenting plant sugars. A small amount keeps the cream at a skin friendly pH and supports the preservative system.

Xanthan Gum: A thickener made by fermenting plant sugars. It keeps the cream's texture even and prevents separation.

D-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate: A stable form of vitamin E and an antioxidant. It helps protect the oils in the formula from going rancid and supports skin that feels comfortable.

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: Oil pressed from sunflower seeds, light and rich in linoleic acid. It softens skin and supports a comfortable moisture barrier feel.

Linoleic Acid: An omega 6 fatty acid that skin uses in its own barrier lipids. Included directly here, it supports skin that feels calm and well moisturized.

Linolenic Acid: An omega 3 fatty acid, the partner to linoleic acid above. It supports the same barrier lipid group.

Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil: Oil from camellia seeds, a light and elegant emollient used for centuries in East Asian skincare. It softens skin without heaviness.

Sodium Levulinate: A preservative support ingredient made from plant derived levulinic acid. It works with the sodium anisate beside it as part of the cream's protection system.

Sodium Anisate: A preservative support ingredient derived from anise and fennel plants. Paired with sodium levulinate, it helps guard the formula against mold and yeast.

Caramel Organic: Caramelized plant sugar, present at a very low level late in the list. In formulas like this one it is generally there to give the cream its warm tint.

Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid): The salt form of hyaluronic acid, a humectant that holds water at the skin's surface. Inside a sealing cream it helps keep the water from the serum step where it belongs, so skin feels hydrated for longer.

Corn Starch: A plant starch that absorbs surface shine and gives the cream its smooth, non greasy finish. It is part of why this cream feels glassy rather than slick.

Acacia Senegal Gum Organic: Gum from the acacia tree, a natural thickener and film former. It supports the cream's texture and smooth finish.

Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract: An extract of green tea leaves, closing the list. Green tea is rich in plant antioxidants, and here it supports skin that looks calm and refreshed.

Free from note, as stated on this product's store page: the formula is listed as having no parabens, no fragrance, and no phthalates.

Sunflower Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Turmeric Extract, Manuka Honey Essential Oil, Sea Moss Extract, Lime Essential Oil, Lemon Essential Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Oil.

What each ingredient does, line by line:

Sunflower Oil: Oil pressed from sunflower seeds, and the base of this body oil. It is light, fast spreading, and rich in linoleic acid, so it softens skin without a heavy residue.

Sweet Almond Oil: Oil pressed from sweet almonds. It is a classic body oil ingredient that helps skin feel soft and smooth and gives the blend its silky glide.

Turmeric Extract: An extract of the turmeric root. It is included as a plant antioxidant in the blend.

Manuka Honey Essential Oil: The manuka honey component of this formula, in oil form so it blends through an oil base. Honey themed ingredients are used for the soft, nourished feel they give skin.

Sea Moss Extract: An extract of sea moss, a red seaweed rich in minerals. It is the ocean ingredient this body oil is known for, supporting skin that feels hydrated and smooth.

Lime Essential Oil: Oil from lime peel, and half of this product's scent. It gives the beachy citrus smell, so yes, this product is fragranced, by essential oils rather than a synthetic fragrance blend.

Lemon Essential Oil: Oil from lemon peel, the other half of the citrus scent. Together with the lime it keeps the oil smelling fresh and light.

Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Oil: Vitamin E, an antioxidant. In an oil blend its main job is protecting the plant oils from going rancid, so the bottle stays fresh.

A note on this list: the body oil contains no water, so it needs no preservative system. That is why its list is eight lines long while the water based products above carry preservative and texture ingredients at the end of theirs.