What's inside

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Water

Skin Conditioning

Cyclopentasiloxane

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Isononyl Isononanoate

Emollient

Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate

Emollient
2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Skin Conditioning
Non-Reef-Safe Icon

Methyl Trimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Isododecane

Emollient

Dipropylene Glycol

Humectant

Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone

Emulsifying
Silicon Icon

Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer

Good for Oily Skin Icon

Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicon Icon

Disteardimonium Hectorite

Stabilising

Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Magnesium Sulfate

Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate

Skin Conditioning

Cera Alba

Emollient
0-2 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Silicon Icon

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing
Helps with Anti-Aging IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite

Glyceryl Caprylate

Emollient

Zein

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Silica Dimethyl Silylate

Emollient

Aluminum Hydroxide

Emollient

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Helps with Anti-Aging IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Masking
Oil IconEssential Oil IconFragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Zea Mays Starch

Absorbent
Good for Oily Skin Icon

Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil

Masking
Oil IconEssential Oil IconFragrance IconCan worsen Dry Skin Icon

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil

Masking
Oil IconEssential Oil Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Coconut Derived IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Chloride

Masking

Dipotassium Phosphate

Buffering

Calcium Stearate

Cosmetic Colorant

Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
3 / 2 Oil IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil

Masking
Oil IconEssential Oil IconFragrance IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract

Astringent

Houttuynia Cordata Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil

Astringent
Oil IconFragrance Icon

Citral

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea IconEU Allergen Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning
Good for Barrier Repair Icon

Zinc Gluconate

Skin Conditioning
Zinc IconHelps fight Acne IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores Icon

Magnesium Aspartate

Skin Conditioning

Lecithin

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Brassica Campestris Sterols

Emollient

Alcohol

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sucrose Laurate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate

Emulsifying

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Antimicrobial
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Arnica Montana Flower Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps with Anti-Aging IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract

Astringent

Copper Gluconate

Skin Conditioning
Good for Scar Healing Icon

Lysolecithin

Emulsifying

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Limonene

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea IconEU Allergen Icon

Linalool

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea IconEU Allergen Icon

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Madecassoside

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Skin Texture Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

CI 77891

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 77491

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 77492

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 77288

Cosmetic Colorant

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Methyl Trimethicone, Isododecane, Dipropylene Glycol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Cera Alba, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Glyceryl Caprylate, Zein, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Zea Mays Starch, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Dipotassium Phosphate, Calcium Stearate, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Citral, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Lecithin, Glycerin, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Alcohol, Sucrose Laurate, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Copper Gluconate, Lysolecithin, Ceramide NP, Limonene, Linalool, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Madecassoside, Tocopherol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77288

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking

This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.

In formulas, it:

Is it bad for your skin?

The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.

Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.

In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.

This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.

Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).

Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.

According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.

True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.

Learn more about Alcohol
Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Helianthus 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 Oil
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol 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

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