What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
Astringent
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Linalool
Perfuming
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Water
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Synthetic Wax, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Limonene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Linalool, Sucrose Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Beta-Carotene, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Tocopherol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-20 Olefin)
Abrasive
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAmber Powder
Bixa Orellana Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHexyl Laurate
Emollient
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Parfum, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-20 Olefin), Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Water, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycine Soja Sterols, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Hexyl Laurate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Tocopherol, Butyl Avocadate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateHelianthus 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 OilSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
