What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientTriolein
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantMilk Protein Extract
Hydrolyzed Potato Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Oat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Barley Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantMineral Salts
Skin ConditioningPearl Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningGlutamine
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantAsparagine
MaskingCollagen
MoisturisingCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingTaurine
BufferingTryptophan
MaskingAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingValine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantRosin Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen Crosspolymer
EmollientAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningPotassium Myristoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Disiloxane, Dimethicone, Triolein, Parfum, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Water, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Dipropylene Glycol, Vegetable Oil, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Milk Protein Extract, Hydrolyzed Potato Protein, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Mineral Salts, Pearl Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Collagen Extract, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Glutamine, Soluble Collagen, Asparagine, Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Taurine, Tryptophan, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Rosin Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Collagen Crosspolymer, Atelocollagen, Potassium Myristoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Eugenol, Limonene
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingCapsicum Annuum Extract
MaskingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Parfum, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Limonene, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Linalool, Citronellol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Geraniol, Capsicum Annuum Extract, Beta-Carotene, Tocopherol, Glycolipids
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilThis ingredient is also known as Tsubaki oil, or the fixed oil from the seeds of the Japanese camellia.
It's basically a fatty acid delivery system (~75-85% oleic acid) plus some minor extras like squalene, tocopherols, and phytosterols.
That profile makes it a classic emollient; it works by hanging out with the skin's surface lipids, softens, and slows down water loss.
The most cited study on it was done on skin cells in a dish where this oil got them to make more of the building blocks for collagen while also slowing down the enzyme that breaks collagen down. Researchers tested this on human skin too; it didn't cause irritation and helped skin hold onto moisture better.
Another study done on cells and mice found this oil quieted down some of the body's inflammation signals.
These studies are still small, early, and not done on humans, so it's best to think of this ingredient as a great supporting ingredient for the rest of your routine and not the main active.
Concentrations can range from 1-5% in serums to 100% as a single face oil (how it's most traditionally used).
Because this ingredient is a triglyceride of long-chain fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia safe.
Allergies to this protein are quite rare as the refined seed oil contains very little residual protein. Human irritation testing also came back clean. But it is a plant and as with any botanical ingredient, contact allergy is possible.
Learn more about Camellia Japonica Seed OilCitronellol 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 CitronellolCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 also known as Apricot kernel oil, and it comes form the seed kernels of apricot (a member of the Rosaceae family like almond, peach, cherry, and plum).
It's mostly made up of triglycerides: oleic acid (43.9-78.5%), linoleic acid (9.7-37%), and palmitic acid (4.9-7.3%). These numbers vary depending on the variety of Prunus and the ripeness of the fruit; oleic tends to go up at late harvest while linoleic goes down.
Vitamin E is also prevalent in this ingredient and the most dominant form is gamma-tocopherol.
These compounds give the ingredient emollient and skin conditioning properties that keep the skin soft and hydrated.
There's no regulatory maximum cap for this ingredient so you'll see it across a huge concentration range (100% as a single ingredient facial oil).
On allergies: refined cosmetic-grade oils carry almost no protein. The CIR notes that people allergic to a food generally do not react to the refined oil because the allergenic protein does not partition into it (though cold-pressed grades retain more).
However, it's worth patch testing if you have a stone fruit or tree nut allergy because manufacturer processes for removing the protein can vary.
Malassezia lacks the cytosolic fatty acid synthase gene so the yeast cannot make palmitate on its own and instead uses lipases and phospholipases to release fatty acids from host lipids. Since apricot kernel oil is entirely C16-18 (right in the usable range of C11-24), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Old rabbit-ear testing did assign this ingredient a comedogenic rating of 1-2. The original author has stated that testing on rabbit ears is not an ideal model for human comedogenicity.
Human testing has proved that any finished product with a comedogenic ingredient won't automatically make you break out; it really comes down to concentration, formula, and your skin.
Just know high-oleic oils tend to feel heavier on oily skin so it's worth patch testing.
Learn more about Prunus Armeniaca Kernel 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.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilTocopherol 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 Tocopherol