What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantBixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientGarcinia Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientLanolin
EmollientAroma
Lecithin
EmollientSilybin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantRebaudioside A
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Beeswax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Octyldodecanol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Vegetable Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Ceramide NP, Glycine Soja Oil, Lanolin, Aroma, Lecithin, Silybin, Tocopherol, Rebaudioside A, Citric Acid, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 Wax is created from the common sunflower.
Sunflower seed wax is made up of long chain non-glyceride esters, a small amount of fatty alcohols, and fatty acids.
This ingredient is often used to enhance the texture of products. The fatty acid properties also help hydrate the skin.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed WaxLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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 LimoneneOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Tocopherol 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