What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCucurbita Pepo Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCitronellol
PerfumingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingGeraniol
PerfumingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Linalool, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citronellol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Zea Mays Oil, Geraniol, Beta-Carotene, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate
Triolein
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantViola Odorata Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingCymbopogon Martini Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingMichelia Alba Flower Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingJasminum Officinale Oil
MaskingEugenol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingTriolein, Oryza Sativa Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Viola Odorata Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Vegetable Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Michelia Alba Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Eugenol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene
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 Ylang Ylang essential oil.
There are several grades of this oil according to when the flowers are obtained so the exact makeup varies by origin, grade, and extraction.
In cosmetics, its job is mostly sensory: it has a sweet, floral scent often used in perfume.
Chemically, it's complex mix of fragrant molecules: geraniol, limonene, linalool and benzyl benzoate.
Several of these components are on the EU's list of recognized fragrance allergens; this means they have to be labeled when present above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
This ingredient is a known contact sensitizer for a small amount of people so it's definitely worth patch-testing if your skin is reactive.
Lab studies have found the oils does have real antioxidant and antibacterial activity, but keep in mind these are in-vitro findings rather than proven skincare benefits.
Learn more about Cananga Odorata Flower OilCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolHelianthus 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 OilLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolThis ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil is the pressed oil of the Rose Geranium plant. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates off the skin.
Fragrant components of Rose Geranium include citronellol and geraniol. These may cause allergies and skin-sensitivity. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
The scent of Rose Geranium closely resembles traditional roses.
Learn more about Pelargonium Graveolens Flower OilThis ingredient is also known as Avocado oil. It's the cold-pressed oil from the flesh of the avocado fruit packed with fatty acids (mostly oleic acid).
The rich fatty acid profile allows it to function as a skin conditioning agent and emollient; it helps soften and smooth skin while reducing water loss.
Preclinical research has found that topical avocado oil increased collagen synthesis and reduced inflammation during wound healing, giving it some skin-repairing credibility.
The unsaponifiable fraction of the oil is also interesting: studies on avocado unsaponifiables showed that it helped skin produce more collagen and other structural compounds that support healing.
The CIR Expert Panel has found this ingredient to be non-irritating in formulations.
It's a great ingredient for dry or compromised skin. Just know it may not be fungal acne safe. This is because the oleic acid content falls within the range that Malassezia can use as a food source.
Learn more about Persea Gratissima OilTocopherol 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 Tocopherol