What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientDiethyl Phthalate
MaskingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialChenopodium Quinoa Seed
AbrasiveJojoba Esters
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopherol
AntioxidantVinegar
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingAlthaea Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Propanediol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Diethyl Phthalate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Squalane, Polyquaternium-10, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Vegetable Oil, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Benzyl Benzoate, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed, Jojoba Esters, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Polyquaternium-7, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Vinegar, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Althaea Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Flower Oil
MaskingEquisetum Arvense Leaf Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentCoffea Robusta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Brazil Nut Protein
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Polyquaternium-10, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Oil, Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Brazil Nut Protein, Parfum, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceYou 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 a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidCoco-Caprylate is created from fatty coconut alcohol and caprylic acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel. It may help solubilize other ingredients, or help other ingredients be dispersed evenly.
Coco-Caprylate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-CaprylateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is created by cleaving jojoba oil to remove all fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and wax esters.
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters has emollient, stabilizing, and hair-conditioning properties.
We don't have a description for Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride yet.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolThis ingredient is also known as sweet almond oil. It is a lightweight, cold-pressed oil from the ripe seeds of the sweet almond tree.
Sweet almond oil is rich in skin-nourishing fatty acids such as oleic acid (55-86%) and linolenic acid (7-35%).
As an emollient, it softens and hydrates skin by forming a thin barrier that locks in moisture.
Clinical studies have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing. The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the available safety data and concluded it is safe for topical use.
Because of the oleic acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis 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