What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isopropyl Myristate
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientHexyldecanol
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantCetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed
PerfumingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingIsopropyl Myristate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Hexyldecanol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Stearic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCucumis Sativus Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
MaskingRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantCetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningHexyldecanol
EmollientHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Octyldodecanol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Hexyldecanol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Stearic Acid, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololWe don't have a description for Brassica Campestris Sterols yet.
We don't have a description for Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide yet.
Curcuma Longa Root Extract is from the spice, turmeric. Besides being a healthy and delicious spice, turmeric also has plenty of skincare benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant. Antioxidants help neutralize unstable free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin's cells and DNA. Curcumin may help with anti-aging.
Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe skin and reduce irritation. On top of that, curcumin has been shown to help prevent hyperpigmentation from sun damage.
The anti-microbial property of turmeric can make it effective in treating acne. This property has also been shown to help regulate the production of sebum.
Learn more about Curcuma Longa Root ExtractHelianthus 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 OilHexyldecanol is a fatty alcohol that is basically the "light" version of cetyl alcohol. It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that leaves a silky feeling on skin without tackiness.
Because it is stable across a wide pH range, it plays nicely with most actives. Typical use concentrations range from 1-10% and it can be either plant derived or synthetically created.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient and only a few cases of contact dermatitis have been reported.
The closest tested cousin of this ingredient, Octyldodecanol, did not support Malassezia growth in vitro. The Malassezia yeast responsible for fungal acne prefers straight-chain substrates whereas Hexyldecanol and Octyldodecanol are branched. While this ingredient is unlikely to cause fungal acne, be sure to patch test if you're unsure.
Learn more about HexyldecanolOenothera Biennis Oil is the fixed oil derived from the seeds of the Evening Primrose.
Evening primrose oil is rich in fatty acids. These fatty acids include linoleic (60-85%), oleic (5-12%), palmitic (4-10%), and stearic (2-4%).
The fatty acid composition makes it a great ingredient for soothing and moisturizing skin. However, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne safe.
Further research is needed on the role of evening primrose in treating eczema.
Evening primrose is native to North America.
Learn more about Oenothera Biennis OilPunica Granatum Seed Oil is created from the seeds of the pomegranate. Pomegranate seed oil helps hydrate the skin, is anti-inflammatory, and contains antioxidants.
Pomegranates are rich in fatty acids, including an unsaturated fatty acid by the name of Punicic acid. Other components of pomegranates include Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and bioactive lipids such as phytosterols, phospholipids, and triterpenes. Punicic acid helps soothe inflammation.
As an emollient, pomegranate oil creates a thin film on the skin. This film helps prevent moisture loss, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Punica Granatum Seed OilRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractRubus Idaeus Seed Oil is created from the seeds of the raspberry fruit. Raspberries are native to northern Europe and Asia.
Raspberry seed oil is an emollient with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is rich in fatty acids, tocopherols, flavonoids, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.
As an emollient, raspberry seed oil helps hydrate your skin. Emollients prevent moisture from evaporating by creating a film on top.
Learn more about Rubus Idaeus Seed OilJojoba 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 OilStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol 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 TocopherolVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil is created from the seeds of the North American cranberry plant. This plant is native to eastern Canada.
Cranberry seed oil has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties.
Due to its high linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and oleic acid content, cranberry seed oil is an effective emollient. Emollients help hydrate the skin by creating a film on the skin. This barrier prevents moisture from escaping. Linolenic acid also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Cranberry seeds also contain Vitamin E and Vitamin C, both potent antioxidants.
Learn more about Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil