What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glycerin
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSelaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAnise Alcohol
PerfumingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingWater, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maltodextrin, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Benzoate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Limonene, Anise Alcohol, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Dimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMaltodextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentYucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
CleansingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Parfum, Polysorbate 20, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Maltodextrin, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf/Stem Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Yucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
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 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 OilEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium 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 SorbateThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSodium 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 BenzoateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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