What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Diacetyl Boldine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Diamond Powder
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Myristate, Squalane, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinol, Diacetyl Boldine, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Water, BHT, Glycerin, Diamond Powder, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Rubus Laciniatus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil
Masking
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eriocephalus Punctulatus Oil
Masking
CI 61565
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Rubus Laciniatus Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Eriocephalus Punctulatus Oil, CI 61565, CI 60725
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethyl Isosorbide is a low-irritation solvent that helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from glucose.
Research shows how well this ingredient works depends on the active and formulation rather than the concentration alone. This means adding more Dimethyl Isosorbide does not guarantee better penetration of ingredients into the skin.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilThis ingredient is a retinoid. It usually goes by a more common name: "Granactive".
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes retinol and tretinoin.
Retinoids have been proven to:
So what is the difference between all the retinoids?
Most retinoids need to go through a conversion line to become effective on skin. The ending product is retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is AKA tretinoin.
HPR is an ester of tretinoin. Emerging studies suggest HPR to have an added benefit that other retinoids don't have: Low irritation.
A study from 2021 found HPR to have the greatest stability when exposed to light and temperature out of all the commercial retinoids.
A note about naming:
The name "Granactive" is the trade name and the name most commonly used on packages.
Granactive is the name of the mixture - about 90% solvent and 10% HPR. A product with 5% granactive has 0.5% HPR.
Learn more about Hydroxypinacolone RetinoateVitis Vinifera Seed Oil comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.
The components of grape seeds have many skin benefits. Research has found it to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Proanthocyanidin has been shown to help even out skin tone.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. Grape seed extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
The antimicrobial properties of grape seed may help treat acne. However, more research is needed to support this claim.
Grape seed has also been found to help absorb UV rays. Grape seed extract should not replace your sunscreen.
The fatty acids of grape seed oil give it emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin by creating a film. This film traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
