What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
PEG-10 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
C12-13 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
Masking
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, C12-13 Alkyl Lactate, Butylene Glycol, Water, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Isododecane
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Camellia Seed Oil
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Juglans Regia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Perilla Frutescens Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Isododecane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Wax, Pisum Sativum Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Squalane, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Juglans Regia Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Panthenol, Glycerin, Perilla Frutescens Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Papain, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Water, Ceramide NP, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosphingosine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCapryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidCetyl 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.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateJojoba 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 OilSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxWater. 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
