What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
PEG-8 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Polyethylene, PEG-8 Isostearate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Phenoxyethanol
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Onsen-Sui
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningAcorus Calamus Root Extract
Perfuming
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Paraffinum Liquidum, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Polyethylene, Phenoxyethanol, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Onsen-Sui, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Water, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
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 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 OilPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate is a synthetic, oil-loving helper ingredient that does two jobs:
This ingredient is made by joining three building blocks: PEG, Isostearic Acid and glycerin. The PEG gives it the oil-and-water blending power.
This ingredient has been found safe for use in cosmetics and broader PEG family testing shows minimal irritation/sensitization. The molecule's large size also means it isn't expected to penetrate skin to any meaningful degree.
Fungal acne note: This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to isostearic acid (C18). Isostearic acid falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about PEG-20 Glyceryl TriisostearatePelargonium 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 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.
Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil is a non-fragrant plant oil that has earned its skincare reputation through chemistry.
It's dominated by fatty acids like linoleic acid (~35-55%), alpha-linolenic acid (~17-27%), and oleic acid (~14-22%). This is the exact profile that supports skin barrier, locks in hydration, and calms inflammation.
A 2024 review found evidence for the Rosa canina species supports its use for scarring, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and atopic dermatitis; this was mostly credited to its vitamin C content and fatty acid composition as the primary active mechanisms.
You might see this ingredient marketed as a "natural retinol". Some rosehip seed oils contains traces of all-trans-retinoic acid but these trace amounts are far below biologically active levels.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has deemed this ingredient safe and it's well-tolerated.
Fungal acne: The fatty acids of this oil fall into the C11-24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Rosa Canina Fruit OilVitis 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
