What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientArginine
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentCroton Zambesicus Powder
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAlthaea Officinalis Flower Extract
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Panthenol, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cocos Nucifera Water, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Persea Gratissima Oil, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Croton Zambesicus Powder, Cetrimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, CI 77163, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Althaea Officinalis Flower Extract, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPotassium 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 SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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