What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Distearate
Emulsifying
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Viscum Album Fruit Extract
SoothingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Distearate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Saccharide Isomerate, Viscum Album Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Phytosterols, Arginine, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingTrehalose
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Artemisia Montana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Vaccinium Corymbosum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Methylpropanediol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Trehalose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Artemisia Montana Leaf Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vaccinium Corymbosum Fruit Extract, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Cholesterol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus 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 OilTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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
