What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPumice
Abrasive
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Quartz
Abrasive
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Pumice, Glycolic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Xanthan Gum, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Niacinamide, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Charcoal Powder, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Quartz, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Parfum, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Coffea Arabica Seed Powder
Abrasive
Cetearyl Olivate
Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder
Abrasive
Juglans Regia Shell Powder
Abrasive
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Honey
Humectant
Olus Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Chondrus Crispus
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Water, Kaolin, Coffea Arabica Seed Powder, Cetearyl Olivate, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Honey, Olus Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Chondrus Crispus, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark, Potassium Sorbate, Dehydroacetic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl Olivate is a plant-derived emulsifier and texture enhancer. It helps keep the oil and water phases from separating so your formulas stay stable.
You'll likely see it combined with Sorbitan Olivate (together sold as the trade name Olivem 1000). This combination generates a liquid crystal structure that closely resemble the lipid organization of the stratum corneum.
These "skin-like" liquid crystals improve skin barrier integrity and promote the delivery of actives into the skin.
This ingredient is well-tolerated and has no significant sensitization data.
Because it is derived from the fatty acids in olive oil, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateThis 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 GlycerinSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolVitis Vinifera Seed Oil comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.
The components of grape seeds have many skin benefits. Research has found it to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Proanthocyanidin has been shown to help even out skin tone.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. Grape seed extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
The antimicrobial properties of grape seed may help treat acne. However, more research is needed to support this claim.
Grape seed has also been found to help absorb UV rays. Grape seed extract should not replace your sunscreen.
The fatty acids of grape seed oil give it emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin by creating a film. This film traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
