What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Synthetic Wax
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveBisabolol
AntioxidantCedrol
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingIsostearic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCetyl Ethylhexanoate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Silica, Ceresin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Bisabolol, Cedrol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Isostearic Acid, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77891, Mica, CI 77491, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingMacadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasivePolyethylene
AbrasivePolymethylsilsesquioxane
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Glycine Soja Oil
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMonascus Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment
Skin ProtectingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Microcrystalline Wax, Diisostearyl Malate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate, Synthetic Wax, Polyethylene, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Monascus Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Dehydroacetic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilBisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterGlycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.
Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.
Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds of Moringa oleifera plant. It is more commonly known as Moringa seed oil.
Moringa seeds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin hydrating properties. These seeds are rich in oils, proteins, monounsaturated fats, and tocopherols.
As an emollient, moringa seed oil helps trap moisture in the skin by creating a film on top. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Many compounds in moringa seed oil are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. These compounds include Vitamin E. , catechins, ferulic acid, and more.
Another compound found in Moringa seed oil is oleic acid.
Moringa trees are native to the Himalayan mountains.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Moringa Oleifera Seed OilThis ingredient is a form of glycerin with emulsifying and emollient properties.
As an emulsifier, this ingredient helps keep products together while adding a thick texture. The manufacturer states this ingredient has emollient properties. Emollients help keep the skin hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is created by reacting diglycerin and isostearic acid. Due to the isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateRicinus 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 OilSynthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.
It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.
Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopherol (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 TocopherolThis ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
It’s a white silicone powder that sits in fine lines and pores to blur their appearance though its effectiveness depends on the particle size.
You'll typically find this ingredient in amounts between 0.1-20%.
Learn more about Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer