What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingEthyl Olivate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
MaskingBisabolol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSargassum Filipendula Extract
Skin ProtectingLecithin
EmollientHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethyl Olivate, Pentylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sargassum Filipendula Extract, Lecithin, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Glycerin, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylene Brassylate
MaskingCeteareth-20
CleansingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientEucheuma Spinosum Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Triethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Protein Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein
Skin ConditioningSargassum Filipendula Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
MaskingBHT
AntioxidantSorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Stearate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylene Brassylate, Ceteareth-20, Cetyl Palmitate, Allantoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Eucheuma Spinosum Extract, Panthenol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Tapioca Starch, Xanthan Gum, Avena Sativa Protein Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Lecithin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein, Sargassum Filipendula Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, BHT, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol has skin soothing and perfuming/masking properties.
A study from 2016 found it to have skin-soothing properties both in-vivo and in-vitro. It works by intercepting the signals of irritation and can soothe the skin in a few minutes.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient has a scent similar to musk or patchouli. Besides having a skin soothing effect, it can also help cover other unpleasant scents as a masking ingredient.
Learn more about 4-T-ButylcyclohexanolCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHypnea Musciformis Extract comes from the red algae called Hypnea musciformis. Hypnea Musciformis is commonly found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
The cell walls of Hypnea Musciformis is rich in carrageenan.
Hypnea Musciformis Extract contains vitamins A, C, and E. It also has calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and iron.
Learn more about Hypnea Musciformis ExtractLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium 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 SorbateWe don't have a description for Sargassum Filipendula Extract yet.
This ingredient is a synthetic, salt form polymer built from acrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, or their simple esters. It works as a binder, film former, and viscosity increasing agent.
Typical concentrations start at around 0.5% but can go up to 25% for film-forming or binding.
The CIR Expert Panel assessed the safety of 126 acrylates copolymers and concluded they are safe in cosmetics at current use levels when formulated to be non-irritating. They also noted the levels present in finished cosmetic products are not considered a safety risk and Genotoxicity testing (Ames tests, chromosomal aberration assays) has come back negative across the board.
Though the raw building blocks (like acrylic acid) can be irritating on their own, cosmetic-grade versions go through purification to keep levels extremely low.
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer is a large molecule that doesn't penetrate skin barrier in any meaningful way.
Learn more about Sodium Acrylates CopolymerThis is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTocopheryl 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