What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBetaine
HumectantCetyl Esters
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingArginine
MaskingLecithin
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialFarnesol
PerfumingCinnamal
PerfumingLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Phytate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Betaine, Cetyl Esters, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Coco-Glucoside, Arginine, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Parfum, Linalool, Citral, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Geraniol, Citronellol, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Farnesol, Cinnamal, Lactic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMel
EmollientPropolis Cera
AntiseborrhoeicLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlucose
HumectantCI 40800
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Mel, Propolis Cera, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Parfum, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Maltodextrin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Glucose, CI 40800, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideHelianthus 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 OilLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil is the oil extracted from the seeds of the meadowfoam plant. This oil is non-fragrant and is an emollient. As an emollient, meadowfoam seed oil helps soften and hydrate the skin.
Meadowfoam seed oil is stable and has a long shelf life due to its chemical structure. It has the highest concentration of stable fatty-acids among plant oils, preventing it from degrading once exposed to oxygen.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Meadowfoam is native to California and Oregon.
Learn more about Limnanthes Alba 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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolTocopherol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum