What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCoffea Canephora Seed Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLotus Maritimus Flower/Leaf Extract
AntioxidantCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantGarcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantSorbic Acid
PreservativeCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Coffea Canephora Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lotus Maritimus Flower/Leaf Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Sorbic Acid, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Caramel, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol, Coumarin, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBehenyl Behenate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingLinoleic Acid
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil
Skin ProtectingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Ascorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Behenate, Behenyl Alcohol, Parfum, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Phytosterols, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene
Reviews
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 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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool 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 ParfumTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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