What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed
PerfumingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingTriethylene Glycol
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingSolanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil
EmollientPiper Nigrum Fruit Oil
MaskingVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLycopene
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isoamyl Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Squalane, Bisabolol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Triethylene Glycol, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil, Piper Nigrum Fruit Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lycopene
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPEG-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantPhoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract
MoisturisingCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSqualene
EmollientJojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Germ Oil
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantPrinsepia Utilis Seed Oil
EmollientLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningIrvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, PEG-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Tocopherol, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Physalis Angulata Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalene, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Prinsepia Utilis Seed Oil, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Octyldodecanol, Phytosterols, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol
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 TriglycerideEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateHelianthus 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 OilPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate is a synthetic, oil-loving helper ingredient that does two jobs:
This ingredient is made by joining three building blocks: PEG, Isostearic Acid and glycerin. The PEG gives it the oil-and-water blending power.
This ingredient has been found safe for use in cosmetics and broader PEG family testing shows minimal irritation/sensitization. The molecule's large size also means it isn't expected to penetrate skin to any meaningful degree.
Fungal acne note: This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to isostearic acid (C18). Isostearic acid falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about PEG-20 Glyceryl TriisostearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol 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 Tocopherol