What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Isostearyl Ethylimidazolinium Ethosulfate
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylates Copolymer
Palmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Isoceteth-20
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Aquilaria Agallocha Wood Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Coceth-7
EmulsifyingCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Dimethylheptenal
Perfuming
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
Masking
Gamma-Nonalactone
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hexenyl Acetate
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Ionone
Astringent
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSqualane
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Vanillin
Masking
Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Isostearyl Ethylimidazolinium Ethosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylates Copolymer, Palmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Isoceteth-20, Isohexadecane, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sorbitan Oleate, Isoamyl Laurate, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Aquilaria Agallocha Wood Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Coceth-7, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Dimethylheptenal, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Gamma-Nonalactone, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hexenyl Acetate, Hexylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Ionone, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Panthenol, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Squalane, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Vanillin, Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingAmodimethicone
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientCetyl Esters
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Parfum
Masking
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Trideceth-15
EmulsifyingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-15
UV Filter
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Quaternium-95
UV AbsorberAcetic Acid
BufferingAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Passiflora Incarnata Extract
AstringentRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Santalum Album Extract
CleansingAmber Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Vegetable Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract
Perfuming
Oryza Sativa Seed Protein
Antioxidant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Phytic Acid
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Citrulline
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Amodimethicone, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cetyl Esters, Propanediol, Parfum, Polysorbate 60, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethiconol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-15, Trideceth-3, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT, Trideceth-12, Polysilicone-15, Jojoba Esters, Quaternium-95, Acetic Acid, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caffeine, Butylene Glycol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Alcohol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Bromelain, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Niacinamide, Santalum Album Extract, Amber Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Vegetable Amino Acids, Cupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phytic Acid, Oryza Sativa Extract, Citrulline, Gluconolactone, Biotin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal
Alternatives
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 also known as Baobab Seed Oil. Like most plant oils, it works by sitting on the skin's surface to slow water loss and keep skin soft.
The fatty acid content of this oil is roughly 25-36% linoleic acid, 20-30% oleic acid, and 25-30% palmitic acid. Plus, it has smaller amounts of stearic and linolenic acid.
Linoleic acid is the most abundant fatty acid naturally found in your epidermis and your skin uses it to build ceramides.
Baobab seed oil also brings some Vitamin E that provides mild antioxidant activity and helps keep the oil itself stable.
An actual human study that ran a 48-hour occlusive patch test found this ingredient caused no significant irritation.
Because this ingredient is full of C16-18 fatty acids that Malassezia feeds on, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Adansonia Digitata Seed OilCaprylyl 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil is a lightweight oil from the seeds of the Moringa oleifera tree. In cosmetics, it's an emollient that forms a light film to slow water loss and soften skin.
Its fatty acid composition is dominated by oleic acid (70-78%), with smaller amounts of behenic, palmitic, and stearic acids (this profile is actually pretty similar to olive oil).
Notably, this ingredient is oxidatively stable for an oil and resists going rancid as fast as other oils.
A small, in vivo study on 32 participants found a cream with this ingredient increased skin hydration with no reported skin irritation. It also found the tocopherol content gave it some antioxidant activity as well.
One thing to flag for fungal acne:
Because this oil is so high in oleic acid, Malassezia can use it as a food source and this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
For everyone else, this ingredient is well-tolerated and nourishing with a good safety track record.
Learn more about Moringa Oleifera Seed OilPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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
