What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantRosa Canina Seed Oil
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientRubus Fruticosus Seed
Skin ConditioningSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentEicosapentaenoic Acid
EmollientActinidia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRubus Occidentalis Seed Oil
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialLecithin
EmollientPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingHelichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialSqualene
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingFarnesol
PerfumingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rubus Fruticosus Seed, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Rubus Occidentalis Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Lecithin, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena Extract, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Squalene, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Eugenol, Farnesol
Rosa Canina Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingRosa Canina Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Phytosterols, Limonene, Citral, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCitral 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 CitralCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil is the oil extracted from the seeds of the meadowfoam plant. This oil is non-fragrant and is an emollient. As an emollient, meadowfoam seed oil helps soften and hydrate the skin.
Meadowfoam seed oil is stable and has a long shelf life due to its chemical structure. It has the highest concentration of stable fatty-acids among plant oils, preventing it from degrading once exposed to oxygen.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Meadowfoam is native to California and Oregon.
Learn more about Limnanthes Alba 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 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 LinaloolRosa Canina Seed Oil comes from the seeds of the dog-rose plant. It is an emollient.
Emollients help hydrate your skin by trapping moisture in. They create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
Rosa Canina Seed Oil contains phenolic compounds, carotenoids, Vitamin C, linoleic acid, and other fatty acids.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Rosa Canina Seed OilSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds of the Marula plant. In South Africa, Marula is called "an elephant's favorite treat".
Marula seed oil is a non-fragrant oil. It is rich in fatty acids, such as oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and more. These fatty acids help hydrate the skin.
Other components of marula seed oil include vitamin E and antioxidants such as flavonoids.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sclerocarya Birrea Seed OilTocopherol 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 TocopherolVitis Vinifera Seed Oil comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.
The components of grape seeds have many skin benefits. Research has found it to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Proanthocyanidin has been shown to help even out skin tone.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. Grape seed extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
The antimicrobial properties of grape seed may help treat acne. However, more research is needed to support this claim.
Grape seed has also been found to help absorb UV rays. Grape seed extract should not replace your sunscreen.
The fatty acids of grape seed oil give it emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin by creating a film. This film traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil