What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientHelichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicHelichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
MaskingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientRosa Moschata Seed Oil
EmollientMyrtus Communis Oil
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Myrtus Communis Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMethylpropanediol
SolventLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
MaskingHelichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSilanetriol
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCorn Starch Modified
AbsorbentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Silica
AbrasiveSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAlpha-Ionol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methylpropanediol, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Adenosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Silanetriol, Tocopherol, Corn Starch Modified, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Mica, Arachidyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Ionol, Linalool, Citral, Limonene, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 CitralHelianthus 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 OilWe don't have a description for Helichrysum Italicum Extract yet.
Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil is a fragrance and is an oil.
Limonene 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 LinaloolOctyldodecanol 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.
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 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