What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
PEG-10 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Schisandra Chinensis Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Schisandra Chinensis Flower Extract
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Euphorbia Milii Flower Extract
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningErythrina Variegata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Silybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningDahlia Pinnata Flower Extract
Angelica Dahurica Fruit Water
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Terpineol
Masking
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, PEG-10 Isostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Water, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dextrin Palmitate, Betaine, Persea Gratissima Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Leaf Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Flower Extract, Panthenol, Euphorbia Milii Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Erythrina Variegata Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Dahlia Pinnata Flower Extract, Angelica Dahurica Fruit Water, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Terpineol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
Astringent
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Linalool
Perfuming
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Water
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Synthetic Wax, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Limonene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Linalool, Sucrose Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Beta-Carotene, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Tocopherol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolEthylhexyl 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 an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
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 OilSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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 Water
