What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPetrolatum
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearic Acid
CleansingDimethiconol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Dimethicone, Parfum, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Petrolatum, Paraffinum Liquidum, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Stearic Acid, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPetrolatum
EmollientKojic Acid
AntioxidantRetinyl Propionate
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBetaine
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamide
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingWater, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Kojic Acid, Retinyl Propionate, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 60, Polyacrylamide, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 20, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 TriglycerideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParaffinum Liquidum is a highly-refined cosmetic-grade mineral oil. It is also known as liquid paraffin.
Despite its controversial reputation, the science is pretty clear: it's one of the most well-studied and effective moisturizing ingredients out there.
As an occlusive, it forms a protective layer on the skin that locks in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This makes it especially great for compromised skin barriers.
The "it clogs your pores" myth has been around for decades; a study found that industrial-grade mineral oil may be comedogenic but cosmetic-grade mineral oil is not (these two are very, very different).
A 2017 review concluded that cosmetic use of mineral oils and waxes does not present a risk to consumers due to absorption.
Mineral oil got a bad rap from the old rabbit ear studies. When tested on actual human skin, cosmetic-grade mineral oil showed no comedogenic activity. The rating of 0 is a correction of outdated science.
Mineral oil is an inert substance with no fatty acids so there's nothing to feed Malassezia. This ingredient is fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Paraffinum LiquidumParfum 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 ParfumPetrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.
This ingredient is effective at reducing water loss by 99%. This is because it is an occlusive. Occlusives create a hydrophobic barrier on the skin to prevent evaporation. This property makes it great for hydrating dry skin.
Pro tip: Use occlusives, such as this ingredient, on damp skin for the best results.
The quality or origin of petrolatum is only known when disclosed by the brand. Most cosmetic petrolatum has gone through several purification stages.
Another benefit of occlusives is it protects your skin against infection or allergies.
Petrolatum is fungal acne safe. It is a hydrocarbon with no fatty acid structure, so Malassezia cannot metabolize it. In-vitro studies support negligible growth stimulation as well.
It's also worth noting that petrolatum has a comedogenic rating of 0. In updated rabbit ear testing (and in human testing), petrolatum was found to be not comedogenic. This means it didn’t promote comedone formation in standard models.
Learn more about PetrolatumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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