What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ceteareth-20, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Caramel
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPvp
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTribehenin
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTridecyl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-59
UV AbsorberHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialEthyl Linoleate
EmollientEthyl Oleate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCyclodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Glycolate
BufferingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSodium Formate
BufferingCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylic Acid
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Pvp, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tribehenin, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tridecyl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Sorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Polyquaternium-59, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ethyl Linoleate, Ethyl Oleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyclodextrin, Sodium Glycolate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Sodium Formate, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Caprylic Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Xylitol, Citric Acid, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Citral
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 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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHelianthus 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 OilPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumThis 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 OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol 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