What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientStearalkonium Chloride
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil
Emollient
Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Benzaldehyde
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Stearalkonium Chloride, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Arginine, Lactic Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Benzaldehyde, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Isopropyl Alcohol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Surfactant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lauryl/Myristyl Polyricinoleate
EmollientC11-13 Isoparaffin
Solvent
Polyquaternium-37
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Steartrimonium Chloride
Preservative
PPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Squalane, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Lauryl/Myristyl Polyricinoleate, C11-13 Isoparaffin, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Steartrimonium Chloride, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Citric Acid, Parfum, Isopropyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Salicylate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 ChlorideIsopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholPanthenol 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 PanthenolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Benzoate
