This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Oenothera Biennis Oil to strengthen the skin barrier.
This hydrating oil is formulated around Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil and Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil to hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientBoron Nitride
AbsorbentHelichrysum Italicum Flower/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicGleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientHelichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, C14-22 Alcohols, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Boron Nitride, Helichrysum Italicum Flower/Stem Extract, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Gleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Copper Gluconate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citral, Coumarin
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPolydecene
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantAlgae Extract
EmollientBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOxycoccus Palustris Seed Oil
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientMedicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasivePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
AbrasiveSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Succinate
AntioxidantNiacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Algin
Sea Salt
AbrasiveChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Mukul Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingMolasses Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCoumarin
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Water, Trisiloxane, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polydecene, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Algae Extract, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Oxycoccus Palustris Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sea Salt, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Faex Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Molasses Extract, Sucrose, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Alcohol Denat., Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Benzyl Benzoate, Coumarin, Citronellol, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
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 TriglycerideCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralThis ingredient is a copper salt known for its wound healing properties.
Our bodies use copper to help stabilize our skin's collagen and elastin. Its also an essential for superoxide dismutase, an enzyme with strong antioxidant properties.
Copper has wound healing properties due to its role in creating new blood vessels and tissue repair.
Learn more about Copper GluconateCoumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus 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 OilLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumWater. 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 WaterZinc gluconate has antibacterial and wound healing properties. It is particularly effective against fighting inflammatory acne.
This ingredient is the zinc salt of the PHA gluconic acid. PHAs are gentle cousins to AHAs.