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
Onsen-Sui
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
Masking
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolydiethyleneglycol Adipate/Ipdi Copolymer
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Citric Acid
Buffering
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Methoxy PEG-15 Methacrylate Copolymer
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Panax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Onsen-Sui, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Polydiethyleneglycol Adipate/Ipdi Copolymer, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Dextrin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Vine Extract, Resveratrol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citric Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Zea Mays Oil, Beta-Carotene, Acrylates/Methoxy PEG-15 Methacrylate Copolymer, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalane, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 TriglycerideEthylhexyl 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 a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateHelianthus 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 OilPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 Water
