What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCoriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil
MaskingRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Ether, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Eugenol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientBoron Nitride
AbsorbentHelichrysum Italicum Flower/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicGleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientHelichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, C14-22 Alcohols, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Boron Nitride, Helichrysum Italicum Flower/Stem Extract, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Gleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Copper Gluconate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citral, Coumarin
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 TriglycerideCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralGeraniol 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 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 LinaloolOenothera Biennis Oil is the fixed oil derived from the seeds of the Evening Primrose.
Evening primrose oil is rich in fatty acids. These fatty acids include linoleic (60-85%), oleic (5-12%), palmitic (4-10%), and stearic (2-4%).
The fatty acid composition makes it a great ingredient for soothing and moisturizing skin. However, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne safe.
Further research is needed on the role of evening primrose in treating eczema.
Evening primrose is native to North America.
Learn more about Oenothera Biennis OilParfum 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 ParfumTocopherol 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