What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Oleyl Alcohol
EmollientPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
SurfactantSalicylic Acid
MaskingPolyquaternium-7
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantGardenia Taitensis Flower
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Flower Extract
AstringentCitric Acid
BufferingCoumarin
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Coco-Betaine, CI 19140, Dicaprylyl Ether, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Oleyl Alcohol, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Salicylic Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caramel, Gardenia Taitensis Flower, Rosa Canina Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Parfum
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingArginine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantSerine
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Parfum, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Benzoic Acid, Trideceth-6, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Hydroxide, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Serine, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydroxycitronellal, CI 19140, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, CI 15985, CI 14700, Tocopherol
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 TriglycerideCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140This 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 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 TocopherolWater. 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