What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhytic Acid
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Raspberry Ketone
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Succinoglycan
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Oleyl Alcohol
Emollient
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantCholesterol
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Ethyl Acetate
Perfuming
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Gamma-Undecalactone
Perfuming
Water, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Glycolic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phytic Acid, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Raspberry Ketone, Rosa Damascena Flower, Sodium PCA, Sucrose Distearate, Succinoglycan, Urea, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Oleyl Alcohol, Triolein, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oleic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Cholesterol, Trehalose, Polyquaternium-51, Maltodextrin, Ethyl Acetate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Stearic Acid, Gamma-Undecalactone
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientTriolein
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
C12-16 Alcohols
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract
Skin ConditioningC18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningC12-18 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientRaspberry Ketone
Masking
Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingVanilla Planifolia Fruit
MaskingIlex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCistus Ladaniferus Resin
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil
Emollient
Dipteryx Odorata Seed Extract
MaskingStyrax Benzoin Resin Extract
Masking
Viola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Octyldecanol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Octyldodecyl Oleate
Emollient
Squalene
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzyl Glycol
SolventLaureth-21
CleansingPullulan
Silica
Abrasive
Alumina
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Triolein, Niacinamide, C12-16 Alcohols, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Ectoin, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Jojoba Esters, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hexylresorcinol, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Phytosterols, Sodium Levulinate, C12-18 Acid Triglyceride, Raspberry Ketone, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cistus Ladaniferus Resin, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Dipteryx Odorata Seed Extract, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Octyldecanol, Glycerin, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Squalene, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Glycol, Laureth-21, Pullulan, Silica, Alumina, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Caprylyl 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 GlycolCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange and is primarily used as a fragrance. It has a "fresh" and "bright orange" scent.
The main aroma compounds found in this ingredient are limonene (~27-52%), linalool (~2-22%), and linalyl acetate (~27-40%). These are known EU fragrance allergens.
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.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to the furanocoumarin content. Furanocoumarins absorb UV-A and cause phytophotodermatitis; this can look like redness, blistering, and lasting brown pigmentation on sun-exposed skin.
Due to this, this ingredient is capped at 0.4% in leave-on products applied to sun exposed skin.
Many modern formulas used a "furanocoumarin-free" version that sidesteps the phototoxicity issue, but still contains the fragrance allergens.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit 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 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 OilHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneRaspberry Ketone is a fragrance.
Triolein isn't fungal acne safe.
Water. 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
