What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C13-15 Alkane
SolventTriethylhexanoin
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Rosa Gallica Flower Powder
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isoamyl Laurate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-15 Alkane, Triethylhexanoin, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate, Parfum, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Rosa Gallica Flower Powder, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzyl Glycol
SolventCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Raspberry Ketone
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Synthetic Wax, Synthetic Beeswax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Glycol, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Raspberry Ketone, Water, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/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 TriglycerideEthylhexyl 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 PalmitateHelianthus 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 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
