What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sucrose
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningSucrose Laurate
EmollientSucrose Stearate
EmollientHydrated Silica
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Shell Powder
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Powder
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingSucrose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Water, Isostearyl Isostearate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sucrose Laurate, Sucrose Stearate, Hydrated Silica, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Shell Powder, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Powder, Caprylyl Glycol, Limonene, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, CI 19140, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Bisulfite, Parfum
Sucrose
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Butadiene Copolymer
Persea Gratissima Fruit Powder
AbrasiveLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
AntioxidantPapain
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin ConditioningQuartz
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPumice
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingSucrose, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Maris Sal, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trihydroxystearin, Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer, Persea Gratissima Fruit Powder, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Papain, Bromelain, Quartz, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Pumice, Caprylyl Glycol, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Parfum, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycine Soja Oil is a plant-derived oil from soybean seeds. Like other oils, it is rich in essential fatty acids (mostly linoleic and oleic) that support skin hydration and barrier function.
The fatty acids are able to integrate into the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum to help soften skin and reduce water loss.
On top of that, soybean oil is rich in vitamins like vitamin E, a potent antioxidant.
Research on soybean's active components also point to anti-inflammatory, collagen-stimulating, antioxidant activity, and protection against UV-induced oxidative damage.
Most of this research applies to the broader soybean plant and not just the oil fraction alone.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to the oleic acid content.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilHelianthus 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 OilLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sucrose is a natural sugar found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. It is the main constituent of white sugar.
In skincare, sucrose is a humectant and can be a mild exfoliant.
Sucrose is hydrophilic, meaning it attracts water. This makes it an effective humectant and helps hydrate the skin.
Studies show sugars may worsen acne-prone skin due to it disrupting the skin's natural biome. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
In some products such as body scrubs, sucrose is used as an gentle exfoliant.
The term 'sucrose' comes from the french word for sugar, 'sucre'.
Learn more about SucroseTocopherol 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