What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientPropanediol
SolventKaolin
AbrasiveDecyl Glucoside
CleansingBakuchiol
AntimicrobialCollagen
MoisturisingJojoba Esters
EmollientAmelanchier Alnifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingMenthol
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGlucose
HumectantIron Oxides
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Propanediol, Kaolin, Decyl Glucoside, Bakuchiol, Collagen, Jojoba Esters, Amelanchier Alnifolia Fruit Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glucose, Iron Oxides, CI 77491, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Hordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Propanediol
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Seed Powder
AbrasiveCitrus Limon Fruit Oil
AstringentSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
AntioxidantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentArnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientKaolin
AbrasiveSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Cetyl Palmitate
EmollientMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Seed Powder, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Extract, Borago Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Coco-Glucoside, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Kaolin, Sclerotium Gum, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Sorbitan Palmitate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Water, Sodium Phytate, CI 77491, Alcohol, Limonene, Citral, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetearyl Glucoside is a sugar-based emulsifier. It is usually made by combining cetearyl alcohol and glucose.
Belonging to the aklyl polyglucoside (APG) family, Cetearyl Glucoside has a sugar "head" that loves water and a fatty "tail" that loves oil. This means it can shuffle oil and water into a stable and smooth emulsion.
Typical use levels are between 1-5% and this ingredient is considered to be non-irritating by the CIR Expert Panel Review.
Once applied, your skin's glucoside hydrolases breaks it down to the parent fatty alcohol and glucose. This is why this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl GlucosideCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Helianthus 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 OilKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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