What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyurethane-62
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Lecithin
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingErythritol
Humectant
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Zinc Oxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyurethane-62, Benzyl Alcohol, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, CI 77492, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trideceth-6, Tocopherol, CI 77499, CI 77491, Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Citrate, Erythritol, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPhenoxyethyl Caprylate
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Propanediol
Solvent
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Dimer Dilinoleyl/Dimethylcarbonate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMyristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Phenoxyethyl Caprylate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Pentylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Dimer Dilinoleyl/Dimethylcarbonate Copolymer, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Decyl Glucoside, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Arginine, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Carbonate, Citric Acid, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Myristyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidHelianthus 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
