What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Tricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningArbutin
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Botrytis Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
Emollient
Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningAniba Rosodora Wood Oil
Astringent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Triethylhexanoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Arbutin, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Botrytis Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Butylene Glycol, Water, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Limonene, Linalool
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCanarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientLysine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Valine
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Rhus Semialata Gall Extract
Skin ConditioningOxygen
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Histidine
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Water, Canarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glycine, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Lysine, Leucine, Methionine, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Valine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Oxygen, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cysteine, Aspartic Acid, Isoleucine, Alanine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Histidine
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
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 Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateLavandula 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 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 TriisostearateRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is an essential oil also known as rosemary essential oil. In skincare, it is a skin conditioning agent and also acts as a natural fragrance that gives products a fresh/herby smell.
The oil is a mix of over 100 volatile compounds with 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, camphor, and verbenone usually leading the pack.
Lab studies credit this oil with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. Some research even show rosemary compounds calming acne-related inflammation.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be nonsensitizing.
Since this is a fragrant essential oil, the main concern is for fragrance-sensitive folks.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilWater. 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
