What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientOlax Dissitiflora Root Oil
Tonic
Canola Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Carrot Extract
Skin ConditioningVegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningFoeniculum Vulgare Oil
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Olax Dissitiflora Root Oil, Canola Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Tocopherol, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Carrot Extract, Vegetable Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Beta-Carotene, Foeniculum Vulgare Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Viola Odorata Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Vegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Michelia Alba Flower Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Jasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Eugenol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Triolein, Oryza Sativa Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Viola Odorata Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Vegetable Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Michelia Alba Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Eugenol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateHelianthus 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 OilThis ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilThis ingredient is also known as Avocado oil. It's the cold-pressed oil from the flesh of the avocado fruit packed with fatty acids (mostly oleic acid).
The rich fatty acid profile allows it to function as a skin conditioning agent and emollient; it helps soften and smooth skin while reducing water loss.
Preclinical research has found that topical avocado oil increased collagen synthesis and reduced inflammation during wound healing, giving it some skin-repairing credibility.
The unsaponifiable fraction of the oil is also interesting: studies on avocado unsaponifiables showed that it helped skin produce more collagen and other structural compounds that support healing.
The CIR Expert Panel has found this ingredient to be non-irritating in formulations.
It's a great ingredient for dry or compromised skin. Just know it may not be fungal acne safe. This is because the oleic acid content falls within the range that Malassezia can use as a food source.
Learn more about Persea Gratissima 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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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 AcetateVegetable oil is created from seeds or parts of plants.
The term "vegetable Oil" is an umbrella term. It can refer to a variety of vegetable oils and/or blends of: sunflower oil, soybean oil, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and more.
This ingredient is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Due to the differences in vegetables, the benefits may vary.
Learn more about Vegetable OilVitis Vinifera Seed Oil comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.
The components of grape seeds have many skin benefits. Research has found it to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Proanthocyanidin has been shown to help even out skin tone.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. Grape seed extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
The antimicrobial properties of grape seed may help treat acne. However, more research is needed to support this claim.
Grape seed has also been found to help absorb UV rays. Grape seed extract should not replace your sunscreen.
The fatty acids of grape seed oil give it emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin by creating a film. This film traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
