What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Petrolatum
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientParfum
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientBrassica Nigra Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningCapsicum Frutescens Fruit Powder
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentPanax Ginseng Root Powder
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningAcetamide Mea
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingCapsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCola Acuminata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLinolenic Acid
CleansingSorbitol
HumectantOctoxynol-9
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Collagen Amino Acids
Cocoyl Sarcosine
CleansingWheat Germ Acid
CleansingTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLinoleic Acid
CleansingHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientArnica Chamissonis Flower Extract
MaskingNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingLimonene
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingPetrolatum, Isopropyl Myristate, Parfum, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Brassica Nigra Seed Powder, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Powder, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Dextrin, Panax Ginseng Root Powder, Glycerin, Water, Acetamide Mea, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cola Acuminata Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Panthenol, Linolenic Acid, Sorbitol, Octoxynol-9, Sodium Cocoyl Collagen Amino Acids, Cocoyl Sarcosine, Wheat Germ Acid, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linoleic Acid, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Arnica Chamissonis Flower Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Limonene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Linalool
Petrolatum
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingLanolin
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Callus
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingTrigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract
PerfumingCola Acuminata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLawsonia Inermis Extract
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingPetrolatum, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Lanolin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Callus, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract, Cola Acuminata Seed Extract, Lawsonia Inermis Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carthamus tinctorius seed oil comes from safflower, one of humanity's oldest crops.
Safflower seed oil contains a high percentage of linoleic acid and oleic acid. It also contains Vitamin E. These three components are effective moisturizers.
Vitamin E helps nourish your skin's lipid barrier. It is also a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or unstable molecules that may damage your skin cells.
Due to its high fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis safe.
Thoughout history, safflower has been used for dying fabrics and in food as a saffron substitute.
Learn more about Carthamus Tinctorius Seed OilThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilWe don't have a description for Cola Acuminata Seed Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Echinacea Purpurea Extract yet.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPetrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.
This ingredient is effective at reducing water loss by 99%. This is because it is an occlusive. Occlusives create a hydrophobic barrier on the skin to prevent evaporation. This property makes it great for hydrating dry skin.
Pro tip: Use occlusives, such as this ingredient, on damp skin for the best results.
The quality or origin of petrolatum is only known when disclosed by the brand. Most cosmetic petrolatum has gone through several purification stages.
Another benefit of occlusives is it protects your skin against infection or allergies.
Petrolatum is fungal acne safe. It is a hydrocarbon with no fatty acid structure, so Malassezia cannot metabolize it. In-vitro studies support negligible growth stimulation as well.
It's also worth noting that petrolatum has a comedogenic rating of 0. In updated rabbit ear testing (and in human testing), petrolatum was found to be not comedogenic. This means it didn’t promote comedone formation in standard models.
Learn more about PetrolatumJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate