What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentLactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingSpirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientBromelain
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Silica, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Bromelain, Tocopheryl Acetate, Maltodextrin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Limonene
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientNigella Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningBixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingHaberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Haberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum, Water, BHT, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Reviews
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 TriglycerideLimonene 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 LimoneneTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate