What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Diglycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-2 Laurate
Emulsifying
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Parfum, Diglycerin, Polyglyceryl-2 Laurate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77007
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl Alcohol
