What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingPolyethylene
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Polyethylene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, C13-15 Alkane, Trihydroxystearin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Gluconolactone
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientPyrus Malus Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Synthetic Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Pyrus Malus Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Trihydroxystearin, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Artemisia Capillaris 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.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange and is primarily used as a fragrance. It has a "fresh" and "bright orange" scent.
The main aroma compounds found in this ingredient are limonene (~27-52%), linalool (~2-22%), and linalyl acetate (~27-40%). These are known EU fragrance allergens.
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.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to the furanocoumarin content. Furanocoumarins absorb UV-A and cause phytophotodermatitis; this can look like redness, blistering, and lasting brown pigmentation on sun-exposed skin.
Due to this, this ingredient is capped at 0.4% in leave-on products applied to sun exposed skin.
Many modern formulas used a "furanocoumarin-free" version that sidesteps the phototoxicity issue, but still contains the fragrance allergens.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilEthylhexyl 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 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 TetraoleateTocopherol 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 TocopherolThis ingredient comes from Hydroxystearic Acid, a fatty acid, and glycerin. It is used to thicken oils.
Due to its fatty acid content, it is a natural emollient.
Creating trihydroxystearin involves using a chemical reaction between hydrogen and castor oil.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Trihydroxystearin