What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPrunus Avium Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Parfum, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Water, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Avium Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Trihydroxystearin, Camellia Japonica Seed Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 77491, CI 15850, Blue 1 Lake, CI 77492
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDextrin Isostearate
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
AstringentMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid Polypeptide
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSucrose Distearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingFragaria Ananassa Fruit Water
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Dextrin Isostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide, Tocopherol, Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sucrose Distearate, Parfum, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Water
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 OilPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumWe don't have a description for Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer yet.
Jojoba 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.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilTocopherol 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