What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Ferment
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Chlorella Ferment, 1,2-Hexanediol, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Propanediol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientParfum
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Limonene
PerfumingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trisiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Parfum, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Chloride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Limonene, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Linalool, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Tocopherol, Glycolipids
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.You may know this ingredient as argan oil. Argan Oil has antioxidant, hydrating, and soothing properties.
Studies have shown argan oil can help fight again radical damage from the sun. This makes it effective at preventing hyperpigmentation.
Large amounts of vitamin E found in argan oil helps the skin retain water. Argan oil also contains fatty acids such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. It is also a good source of lipids.
Another benefit of argan oil is skin-soothing. It can help reduce inflammation-related skin symptoms.
Argan Oil is effective at regulating sebum production in pores. This can make it effective at treating hormonal acne.
Traditionally, argan oil was used for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, argan oil contains fatty acids that may make it not fungal-acne safe.
Argan Trees are native to Morocco.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateThis ingredient is an 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.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateCocos Nucifera Oil is obtained from the kernels of the coconut fruit. In other words, this is coconut oil.
Coconut Oil is rich in fatty acids with lauric acid making up the majority of these. It also contains linoleic acid. Due to this high fatty acid content, coconut oil helps trap moisture and soften skin.
Despite being antibacterial, coconut oil may not be great for acne-prone skin. It is comedogenic and may clog pores. This ingredient may not be safe for malassezia or fungal acne.
Note: Coconut Oil should not replace your sunscreen for UV protection. Studies show it only blocks about 20% of UV.
This oil is non-volatile and has a light scent.
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 Cocos Nucifera OilDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Parfum 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 ParfumThis oil comes from the seeds of the desert shrub called Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil, a non-comedogenic oil.
Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient.
It also contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and protects your skin against oxidative damage.
This ingredient humectant properties, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some strains of bacteria.
Studies also show it helps in wound healing. In fact, Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fun fact: Jojoba oil similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. It is also promising with helping to regulate sebum production.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water