What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Dextrin
AbsorbentOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
MaskingQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingSaponaria Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialOriganum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate, Potassium Sorbate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Disodium EDTA, Dextrin, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Squalane, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Biotin, Panthenol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Origanum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Papain, Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPoloxamer 184
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAbies Alba Seed Oil
AntimicrobialOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentStomach Extract
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Carrot Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sesame Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveSodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Citric Acid
BufferingEucalyptus Dives Leaf Oil
PerfumingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingOlea Europaea Leaf Oil
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingWater, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Poloxamer 184, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Abies Alba Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Stomach Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Hydrolyzed Carrot Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Sesame Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Hexylene Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Citric Acid, Eucalyptus Dives Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Olea Europaea Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil
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 GlycolCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
This ingredient is also known as lime essential oil or key lime essential oil.
Like other citrus extracts and oils, this ingredient contains furanocoumarins that can cause phototoxicity.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange and is primarily used as a fragrance. It has a "fresh" and "bright orange" scent.
The main aroma compounds found in this ingredient are limonene (~27-52%), linalool (~2-22%), and linalyl acetate (~27-40%). These are known EU fragrance allergens.
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.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to the furanocoumarin content. Furanocoumarins absorb UV-A and cause phytophotodermatitis; this can look like redness, blistering, and lasting brown pigmentation on sun-exposed skin.
Due to this, this ingredient is capped at 0.4% in leave-on products applied to sun exposed skin.
Many modern formulas used a "furanocoumarin-free" version that sidesteps the phototoxicity issue, but still contains the fragrance allergens.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
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 Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilCitrus Limon Peel Oil is created from the peels of the lemon. It is used to add a lemon-scent to products. Lemon peel oil also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. However, it may also cause phototoxicity and sensitize skin.
Lemon peel oil contains limonene, a skin sensitizing ingredient. Another component is furanocoumarin, which induces phototoxicity in skin.
Furanocoumarins bind and destabilize your DNA to increase the rate of sunburn.
Most reputable companies will remove furanocoumarins from their formulations.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Peel OilCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinHelianthus 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 OilThis ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilJojoba 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 OilWater. 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