What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingLecithin
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOleic Acid
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyethylene
AbrasiveAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSimethicone
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTrisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantWater, Glyceryl Stearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Stearic Acid, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Triethanolamine, Lecithin, Propylene Carbonate, Synthetic Wax, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oleic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Polyethylene, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Simethicone, Glycine Soja Oil, Trisodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffin
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientArginine
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantRhus Verniciflua Peel Wax
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient2,3-Butanediol
HumectantStearyl Stearate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHectorite
AbsorbentSimethicone
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantKaolin
AbrasivePantolactone
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantCellulose
AbsorbentPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Paraffin, Stearic Acid, Pvp, Cetyl Alcohol, Microcrystalline Wax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Arginine, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, 2,3-Butanediol, Stearyl Stearate, Synthetic Wax, Panthenol, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Caprylyl Glycol, Hectorite, Simethicone, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Kaolin, Pantolactone, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Cellulose, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea Gratissima Oil, Biotin, Ceramide Ng, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77007
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 OilThis ingredient comes from a palm tree native to Brazil. This ingredient is used to thicken texture and leaves behind a film when applied.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (aka marula oil) is a skin hydrating ingredient.
Its fatty acid profile is dominated by oleic acid (~69%), palmitic acid (~15%), linoleic acid (~9%), and palmitoleic acid (~4%).
These fatty acids are very similar to those naturally found in the epidermis, making this oil biomimetic; basically, your skin recognizes it.
Clinical testing found this ingredient to be moisturizing and non-irritating, with noteworthy effects on reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
Besides fatty acids, marula oil is also rich in oxidative stabilizers like vitamin E, vitamin C precursors, and polyphenols. This gives it excellent shelf stability compared to most facial oils.
This is a great ingredient for dry, dull, or barrier-compromised skin.
Just know it may not be fungal acne safe due to the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fatty acids can as as a food source for the Malassezia yeast.
Learn more about Sclerocarya Birrea Seed OilSimethicone is a silicone. It is an emollient and used to reduce foaming in a product. It is also often used to coat sunscreen ingredients for better spreadability.
This ingredient is created by mixing dimethylpolysiloxane and hydrated silica.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
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