What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyisobutene
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientParfum
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSolanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil
EmollientMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAmber Powder
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCitrus Junos Fruit Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientPyrus Malus Seed Oil
EmollientRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Water
MaskingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Triethylhexanoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyisobutene, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Diisostearyl Malate, Parfum, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Citrus Junos Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Pyrus Malus Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Salicylic Acid, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Water, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Juice, Hydroxyacetophenone, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCentella Asiatica Oil
AntimicrobialCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Centella Asiatica Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Glycine Soja Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateHelianthus 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 OilJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate is a surfactant and emulsifier.
This ingredient is a tetraester from oleic acid and polyethylene glycol ether of sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it helps ingredients such as oil and water mix together. This allows the dirt and oils in your skin to be washed away.
One study found pumpkin oil containing Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate helped hydrate the skin and did not cause any irritation.
Learn more about Sorbeth-30 TetraoleateVitis 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 Oil