What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientHoney
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicDimethyl Sulfone
SolventAhnfeltia Concinna Extract
Skin ConditioningSapindus Mukorossi Fruit Powder
Bacopa Monnieri Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Honey, Biotin, Dimethyl Sulfone, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Powder, Bacopa Monnieri Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Glycine Soja Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningApium Graveolens Seed Extract
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicArginine
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningItaconic Acid
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Ethylamido Oxalate
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGlycine Soja Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Parfum, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Biotin, Arginine, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Water, Itaconic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate, Silica, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biotin is a B vitamin that is naturally produced by our bodies. It is also called Vitamin H.
Our bodies use biotin in the metabolism process. It also helps our bodies use enzymes and move nutrients around. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails.
More research is needed on applying biotin topically. However, taking biotin orally has been shown to help nourish the skin, hair, and nails. They play a role in forming skin-hydrating fatty acids.
Biotin is water-soluble. It can be found in foods such as fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and meat. Vitamin H stands for "haar" and "haut". These are the German words for hair and skin.
Learn more about BiotinThis 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 OilThis ingredient is also known as tea tree oil. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Tea tree oil is a complex lipophilic (fat-loving) oil that contains around 100 compounds with terpinen-4-ol being the most abundant (~40%).
Terpinen-4-ol is responsible for tea tree oil's broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and makes it a well-researched option for acne.
Clinical studies support 5% tea tree oil as an effective topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. A study with 124 patients compared 5% tea tree oil gel to 5% benzoyl peroxide and both reduced acne (though tea tree oil worked more slowly).
Besides acne, it is also seen in anti-dandruff shampoos and scalp treatments for it's antimicrobial and anti-seborrheic properties.
Safety-wise, the allergic potential of low concentrations on healthy skin is considered low. However, oxidized (old or improperly stored) tea tree oil is a stronger sensitizer.
Irritation can also occur if using the undiluted oil on skin; it's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted cosmetic formula. This is because regulations require tea tree oil in cosmetics to be stabilized to prevent degradation.
This ingredient has been deemed safe up to 2% in shampoo, 1% in cleansers, and 0.1% in face cream by the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).
There is some lab evidence that tea tree oil is antifungal against Malassezia, but it is a supportive option at best and not a replacement for proven antifungal treatments.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf OilJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil