What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientParfum
MaskingSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Isododecane, Parfum, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Citric Acid, Benzyl Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Parfum, Polyquaternium-10, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilThis oil comes from the shea tree.
It has emollient properties - meaning when applied, it creates a thin film to trap moisture within. This helps keep your skin smooth and hydrated.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidHydrogenated Vegetable Oil is created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to give it more stability. This process also raises the melting point of vegetable oil. In cosmetics, it is an emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
The term "Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil" is an umbrella term and can refer to a variety of vegetable oils and blends of: sunflower oil, soybean oil, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and more.
Due to the differences in vegetables, the benefits may vary.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Vegetable OilParfum 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter comes from the Theobroma cacoa, or Cacao tree. Cacao trees are native to tropical landscapes.
Like other plant butters, Cacao seed butter is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. By creating a barrier to trap moisture in, emollients help keep your skin hydrated.
Cacao seed butter contains antioxidants known as polyphenols. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules by stabilizing them. Unstable free-radicals may cause damage to your skin cells. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging.
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter can be bad for acne prone skin.
Learn more about Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter