What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
PEG-10 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Amber Powder
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aroma
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, PEG-10 Isostearate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Amber Powder, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Aroma, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sambucus Nigra Seed Oil
Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Octyldodecanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trihydroxystearin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Sambucus Nigra Seed Oil, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Water, Propylene Carbonate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 OilLimonene 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 LinaloolPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate is a synthetic, oil-loving helper ingredient that does two jobs:
This ingredient is made by joining three building blocks: PEG, Isostearic Acid and glycerin. The PEG gives it the oil-and-water blending power.
This ingredient has been found safe for use in cosmetics and broader PEG family testing shows minimal irritation/sensitization. The molecule's large size also means it isn't expected to penetrate skin to any meaningful degree.
Fungal acne note: This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to isostearic acid (C18). Isostearic acid falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about PEG-20 Glyceryl TriisostearatePhenoxyethanol 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 Phenoxyethanol
