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
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCymbopogon Martini Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glycine Max Oil, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol
Reviews
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 TriglycerideCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange and is primarily used as a fragrance. It has a "fresh" and "bright orange" scent.
The main aroma compounds found in this ingredient are limonene (~27-52%), linalool (~2-22%), and linalyl acetate (~27-40%). These are known EU fragrance allergens.
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.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to the furanocoumarin content. Furanocoumarins absorb UV-A and cause phytophotodermatitis; this can look like redness, blistering, and lasting brown pigmentation on sun-exposed skin.
Due to this, this ingredient is capped at 0.4% in leave-on products applied to sun exposed skin.
Many modern formulas used a "furanocoumarin-free" version that sidesteps the phototoxicity issue, but still contains the fragrance allergens.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilHelianthus 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 LimoneneSqualane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about Squalane