What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Laurate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingCucumis Melo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Laurate, Water, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Cucumis Melo Seed Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Collagen Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tocopherol, Oligopeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-12
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPolyisobutene
Ethylhexyl Stearate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Pelargonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientMonascus Extract
Skin ConditioningOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Triethylhexanoin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexyl Pelargonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Monascus Extract, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, 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.
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
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 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 OilJojoba 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.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed 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 Tocopherol