What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Extract
EmollientKaempferia Galanga Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Lactic Acid
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCinnamal
PerfumingFarnesol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Extract, Kaempferia Galanga Root Extract, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Sclerotium Gum, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Lactic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Cinnamal, Farnesol, Benzyl Benzoate, Amyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Citral, Hydroxycitronellal, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientLauryl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientParfum
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingPotassium Gluconate
Skin ProtectingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingAdansonia Digitata Oil
EmollientMauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCaryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingAlgin
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningChitosan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCarrageenan
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Lauryl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isoamyl Laurate, Parfum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Butylene Glycol, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Potassium Gluconate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Adansonia Digitata Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Algin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Chitosan, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Carrageenan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Citral, Limonene, 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.
Cetearyl 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 AlcoholCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralHelianthus 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 OilLimonene 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 ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateTocopherol 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