What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMangifera Indica Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventMaltodextrin/Vp Copolymer
Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Quinoa Protein
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingVaccinium Angustifolium Seed
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Propanediol, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer, Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Quinoa Protein, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Vaccinium Angustifolium Seed, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantChitosan
Jojoba Esters
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientC12-14 Sec-Pareth-5
EmulsifyingC12-14 Sec-Pareth-9
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-37
Lactic Acid
BufferingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAcrylates Copolymer
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventDisodium EDTA
Benzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, C13-15 Alkane, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Chitosan, Jojoba Esters, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-5, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-9, Polyquaternium-37, Lactic Acid, Behentrimonium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Parfum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Decylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Isopropyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You 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 OilCetearyl 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 AlcoholCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Glyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum 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 ParfumRicinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.
Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
Besides hydrating the skin, castor oil is also used to hydrate hair. By keeping the hair shaft moisturized, breakage is decreased. More studies are needed to show castor oil's effective on stimulating hair growth.
Castor oil is created by cold-pressing castor seeds and then purifying the oil with heat. It was used in Ancient Egypt as fuel in lamps and to help treat eye irritation.
The term '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.
Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed 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 OilWater. 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