What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingErythritol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingHoney Extract
HumectantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Extract
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTaraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPelargonium Graveolens Extract
MaskingOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Napus Extract
Skin ConditioningNarcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Chloride
MaskingBetaine
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCoconut Acid
CleansingSodium Isethionate
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Erythritol, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Honey Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Brassica Napus Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Chloride, Betaine, Allantoin, Panthenol, Arginine, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Coconut Acid, Sodium Isethionate, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAmodimethicone
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingElastin
Skin ConditioningKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantLysine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingThreonine
Serine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantProline
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingValine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingCysteine
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract Ferment Filtrate
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Amodimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Steartrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Silk, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Collagen, Elastin, Keratin Amino Acids, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Lysine, Histidine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Threonine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Proline, Glycine, Alanine, Valine, Methionine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Cysteine, Lactobacillus/Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract Ferment Filtrate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum
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
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Jojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed 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