What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sucrose
HumectantCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientCoconut Alkanes
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveCoffea Arabica Seed Oil
MaskingSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSweet Almond Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningSucrose, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Coconut Alkanes, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Silica, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sweet Almond Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Sorbitan Oleate, Water
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCoconut Alkanes
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Butter
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientSchinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingPCA
HumectantAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingHistidine
HumectantIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingThreonine
Valine
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBehenic Acid
CleansingAspartic Acid
MaskingAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Pulp Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientMangifera Indica Pulp Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCeteareth-25
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Squalane, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coconut Alkanes, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Pentylene Glycol, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Behenic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Beta-Carotene, Musa Sapientum Pulp Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Eos, Cholesterol, Mangifera Indica Pulp Extract, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Zea Mays Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ceteareth-25, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Baobab seed oil is an emollient. It is rich in fatty acids and vitamins A, E, and D.
The fatty acid content of this oil is roughly 30-40% oleic acid, 24-34% linoleic acid, and 18-30% palmitic acid. This gives it skin hydrating and nourishing properties.
Due to this fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Fun fact: Our skin uses fatty acids, and especially linoleic acid, for creating ceramides.
Learn more about Adansonia Digitata Seed OilThis 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 TriglycerideCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil is made by expressing watermelon seeds. It is a non-fragrant oil with antioxidant and hydrating properties.
Watermelon seed oil contains a high percentage of linoleic acid and other fatty acids. These fatty acids make it a great skin hydrator. This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateCoconut Alkanes is created from the fatty-acids of coconut oil. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates from the skin.
This ingredient is an emollient and solvent. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft and hydrated. Solvents help distribute and mix other ingredients. This ensures a more even consistency.
Coconut Alkanes may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Coconut AlkanesThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera 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 OilPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract is the extract from dried sweet almond seeds.
Almonds contain healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. It is a rich source of Vitamin E, a great antioxidant and skin conditioning ingredient. Sweet almond oil contains fatty acids such as linolenic acid and triglycerides.
Prunus amygdalus dulcis is native to Iran.
Learn more about Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed ExtractSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds of the Marula plant. In South Africa, Marula is called "an elephant's favorite treat".
Marula seed oil is a non-fragrant oil. It is rich in fatty acids, such as oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and more. These fatty acids help hydrate the skin.
Other components of marula seed oil include vitamin E and antioxidants such as flavonoids.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sclerocarya Birrea Seed OilWater. 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