What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Water
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Glycine
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Valine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Collagen
Moisturising
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Mannose
HumectantAtelocollagen
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Wax, Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate, Octyldodecanol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Microcrystalline Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Water, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Dehydroacetic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Glycine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Glycerin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Pentylene Glycol, Collagen Extract, Soluble Collagen, Collagen, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Mannose, Atelocollagen, Glucose
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCanola Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingCucumis Melo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hippophae Rhamnoides Water
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Oil
Antimicrobial
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Dipropylene Glycol, Canola Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Cucumis Melo Seed Extract, Sorbitan Tristearate, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Adenosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil comes from the Japanese Camellia plant. This plant is native to East Asia and known as "Tsubaki" in Japanese.
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil is rich in oleic acid. This makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe the skin by forming a barrier. This barrier traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydated.
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 TriglycerideHelianthus 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 OilOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolThis 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 TriisostearateSynthetic 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 WaxWater. 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 WaterEuphorbia Cerifera wax comes from a shrub in Northern Mexico. It is used to stabilize formulations and has emollient properties.
Emollients form a thin layer on top of skin to prevent water from evaporating, keeping skin and lips hydrated.
According to a manufacturer, this wax can range from a yellow/brown color to translucent.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
