What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientSqualane
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Cera
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder
Skin ConditioningTilia Americana Flower Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingFarnesol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Tilia Americana Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Linalool, Farnesol, Limonene, Geraniol, Eugenol, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Salicylate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Amyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientBehenyl Olivate
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientLevulinic Acid
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Sacra Resin Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingCommiphora Confusa Resin Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
MaskingCommiphora Myrrha Oil
MaskingBoswellia Neglecta Resin Oil
EmollientGardenia Jasminoides Meristem Cell Culture
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningDextran
Citric Acid
BufferingTrifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingFarnesol
PerfumingWater, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Behenyl Olivate, Octyldodecyl Olivate, Glycerin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Glycine Soja Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Olivate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Levulinic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Boswellia Sacra Resin Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Levulinate, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Commiphora Confusa Resin Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Commiphora Myrrha Oil, Boswellia Neglecta Resin Oil, Gardenia Jasminoides Meristem Cell Culture, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Dextran, Citric Acid, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Farnesol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl Glucoside is a sugar-based emulsifier. It is usually made by combining cetearyl alcohol and glucose.
Belonging to the aklyl polyglucoside (APG) family, Cetearyl Glucoside has a sugar "head" that loves water and a fatty "tail" that loves oil. This means it can shuffle oil and water into a stable and smooth emulsion.
Typical use levels are between 1-5% and this ingredient is considered to be non-irritating by the CIR Expert Panel Review.
Once applied, your skin's glucoside hydrolases breaks it down to the parent fatty alcohol and glucose. This is why this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl GlucosideThis ingredient is also known as bitter orange flower oil, or neroli flower oil. It imparts a floral, sweet, and citrusy scent.
It is rich in linalool, linalyl acetate, limonene, and nerolidol.
Farnesol is a compound extracted from essential oils such as lemongrass, rose, and more. It is used as a fragrance in products to help boost floral scents.
Farnesol is a known EU allergen and causes contact dermatitis.
This ingredient is hydrophobic, meaning it is not soluble in water.
Learn more about FarnesolGeraniol 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 GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus 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 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 LinaloolMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil is the fixed oil obtained from Macadamia nut native to Australia. Due to its similarity with our skin's natural oils, macadamia oil absorbs easily without feeling greasy.
Macadamia seed oil is rich in fatty acids, including oleic acid (45-75%), palmitoleic acid (7-33%), and palmitic acid (6-12%). They also contain various B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.
Palmitoleic acid helps calm inflammation and supports wound healing while oleic acid helps hydrate the skin.
Due to the high amounts of palmitic and oleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. These are fatty acids that Malassezia yeast can feed on (C11-C24 chain length). If you're prone to fungal acne, this one's probably not for you.
You'll also see this ingredient listed as: Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil . This is the same ingredient; M. ternifolia is an older INCI naming convention for the edible macadamia nut, while M. integrifolia is the species actually cultivated for oil production. Both names refer to the same oil.
Learn more about Macadamia Ternifolia Seed OilPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. Oncedissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical. It is usually derived from renewable plant sources like corn starch or sugarcane.
In skincare, it mostly acts as a skin conditioning agent that keeps skin soft and hydrated. It also acts as a preservative booster by inhibiting the growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria.
It's often paired with Sodium Anisate as the two create a broad-spectrum preservative system that is popular in "natural" formulations.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be non-irritated and there are no restrictions for use in EU cosmetics. The FDA also allows this ingredient to be used as a food-grade flavoring agent.
Learn more about Sodium LevulinateTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter comes from the Theobroma cacoa, or Cacao tree. Cacao trees are native to tropical landscapes.
Like other plant butters, Cacao seed butter is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. By creating a barrier to trap moisture in, emollients help keep your skin hydrated.
Cacao seed butter contains antioxidants known as polyphenols. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules by stabilizing them. Unstable free-radicals may cause damage to your skin cells. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging.
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter can be bad for acne prone skin.
Learn more about Theobroma Cacao Seed ButterTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum