What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingOctyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Surfactant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, BHT, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Citral, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Acetamide Mea
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Hydrastis Canadensis Leaf Extract
Lawsonia Inermis Extract
Antimicrobial
Equisetum Hyemale Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Saponaria Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serotina Bark Extract
MaskingHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-2 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Acetamide Mea, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Cetrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis Leaf Extract, Lawsonia Inermis Extract, Equisetum Hyemale Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Root Extract, Prunus Serotina Bark Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycereth-2 Cocoate, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
This ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilGlycerin (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 GlycerinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumThis 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 OilPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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
