What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingC12-18 Alkanoyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningVanillin
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPortulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil, C12-18 Alkanoyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Vanillin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trihydroxystearin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Sucrose Cocoate, Glucomannan
Cera Alba
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Decyl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientParfum
MaskingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
EmollientTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientPassiflora Incarnata Seed Oil
Skin ProtectingSucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
EmollientCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Mukul Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPEG-6 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningHesperetin Laurate
AntioxidantVanillin
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCera Alba, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Decyl Esters, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Parfum, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Passiflora Incarnata Seed Oil, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, PEG-6 Isostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Trihydroxystearin, Hesperetin Laurate, Vanillin, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCopernicia Cerifera Wax comes from a palm tree native to Brazil; another name for this ingredient is Carnauba Wax.
This ingredient is used to thicken texture and also leaves behind a film when applied.
Fun fact: This wax has the highest melting point of all natural waxes and low solubility.
Learn more about Copernicia Cerifera WaxEthylhexyl 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 PalmitateRicinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.
Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
Besides hydrating the skin, castor oil is also used to hydrate hair. By keeping the hair shaft moisturized, breakage is decreased. More studies are needed to show castor oil's effective on stimulating hair growth.
Castor oil is created by cold-pressing castor seeds and then purifying the oil with heat. It was used in Ancient Egypt as fuel in lamps and to help treat eye irritation.
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.
Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed OilSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateThis ingredient is also known as cupuacu butter. It is a plant butter made from the seeds of the cupuacu fruit and has skin conditioning properties.
Like other botanic butters, cupuacu butter works by reducing moisture loss and improving skin smoothness. Some research suggests it has an unusually high ability to interact with water in lab testing, which may help explain why products containing it can feel deeply hydrating.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated. However, those with very oily or clog-prone skin might prefer it in lighter formulations or lower concentrations.
Due to its fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne, safe.
Please note: Fungal acne is not caused by pore clogging. It is caused by an overgrowth of the Malassezia yeast on the skin. This yeast feeds on certain fatty acids.
Learn more about Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed ButterTocopherol 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 TrihydroxystearinVanillin is the main compound of the vanilla bean. It is naturally occuring but can also be artificially created.
This ingredient exhibits antioxidant properties but is also a known skin-irritant.
Vanillism is the term of contact-dermatitis associated with the vanilla plant. The sap of the vanilla plant triggers skin irritation, swelling, and redness.
Learn more about VanillinVitis Vinifera Seed Oil comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.
The components of grape seeds have many skin benefits. Research has found it to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Proanthocyanidin has been shown to help even out skin tone.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. Grape seed extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
The antimicrobial properties of grape seed may help treat acne. However, more research is needed to support this claim.
Grape seed has also been found to help absorb UV rays. Grape seed extract should not replace your sunscreen.
The fatty acids of grape seed oil give it emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin by creating a film. This film traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil