What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentLawsonia Inermis Extract
Antimicrobial
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentHoney
Humectant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-2 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Water, Sorbitol, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Glycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Mentha Piperita Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Disodium EDTA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Lawsonia Inermis Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Honey, Biotin, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycereth-2 Cocoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyquaternium-37
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningPereskia Aculeata Callus Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Alanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Histidine
Humectant
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Threonine
Valine
MaskingCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter
Skin Conditioning
Momordica Cochinchinensis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
PCA
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientSodium PCA
Humectant
Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningXylitol
Humectant
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingEthyl Oleate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
C13-16 Isoalkane
SolventPolyquaternium-68
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Lignosulfonate
Galactoarabinan
Caprylic Acid
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingLactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-37, Isopropyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Pereskia Aculeata Callus Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter, Momordica Cochinchinensis Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Panthenol, PCA, Phytic Acid, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Sodium PCA, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Trehalose, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Triheptanoin, Xylitol, Ethyl Linoleate, Octyldodecanol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Ethyl Oleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, C13-16 Isoalkane, Polyquaternium-68, Sodium Phosphate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Lignosulfonate, Galactoarabinan, Caprylic Acid, Propanediol, Sorbitan Oleate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Lactic Acid, Sodium Carbonate, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
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 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 OilEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Water. 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
