What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Olivate
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Olivate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyamide-5
Skin ConditioningC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
Sodium Phytate
Cetearyl Olivate
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower
Skin Conditioning
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Sea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Polyamide-5, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Hexylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Sodium Phytate, Cetearyl Olivate, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sorbitan Olivate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan 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 feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSorbitan 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 feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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
