What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract
EmollientLinalool
Perfuming
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Beeswax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Ceresin, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Microcrystalline Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Water, Parfum, Melia Azadirachta Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract, Linalool, Adenosine, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Citronellol, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Seed Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Candida/Garcinia Cambogia Ferment
Oryza Sativa Germ Oil
Emollient
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCanola Oil
Emollient
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSoluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Pyrus Malus Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline Wax, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Candida/Garcinia Cambogia Ferment, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Canola Oil, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Tocopherol, Adenosine, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beta-Carotene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Soluble Proteoglycan, Sodium Dna, BHT, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolButylphenyl Methylpropional is a synthetic fragrance. You might know it as "lilial". The scent of this ingredient is floral-like and similar to the scent of lily flowers.
In March of 2022, the EU banned this ingredient in both rinse-off and leave-on products. This is because research found Butylphenyl Methylpropional to disrupt fertility in rats.
This ingredient is also a known EU allergen, meaning it is likely to cause an allergic reaction. Irritated skin can be damaging.
We always recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns or questions about this ingredient.
Learn more about Butylphenyl MethylpropionalThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinHelianthus 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 OilHexyl 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 CinnamalMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds of Moringa oleifera plant. It is more commonly known as Moringa seed oil.
Moringa seeds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin hydrating properties. These seeds are rich in oils, proteins, monounsaturated fats, and tocopherols.
As an emollient, moringa seed oil helps trap moisture in the skin by creating a film on top. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Many compounds in moringa seed oil are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. These compounds include Vitamin E. , catechins, ferulic acid, and more.
Another compound found in Moringa seed oil is oleic acid.
Moringa trees are native to the Himalayan mountains.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Moringa Oleifera Seed OilOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Parfum 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 ParfumThis ingredient is a form of glycerin with emulsifying and emollient properties.
As an emulsifier, this ingredient helps keep products together while adding a thick texture. The manufacturer states this ingredient has emollient properties. Emollients help keep the skin hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is created by reacting diglycerin and isostearic acid. Due to the isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateWater. 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
