What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBalanites Roxburghii Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia/Tetraphylla Seed Oil
EmollientBertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningOlus Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCyclopentasiloxane, Isopropyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Alcohol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Balanites Roxburghii Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia/Tetraphylla Seed Oil, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olus Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Tocopherol
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantSilk Amino Acids
HumectantVegetable Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Benzoate
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHistidine
HumectantCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Parfum, Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Geraniol, Citronellol, Limonene, Water, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Silk Amino Acids, Vegetable Amino Acids, Pentylene Glycol, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Proline, Threonine, Valine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Isoleucine, Citric Acid, Potassium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Ceramide NP, Phospholipids, Phytosphingosine, Phytosterols
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 also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholYou 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 OilCamellia Japonica Seed Oil comes from the Japanese Camellia plant. This plant is native to East Asia and known as "Tsubaki" in Japanese.
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil is rich in oleic acid. This makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe the skin by forming a barrier. This barrier traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydated.
Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeHelianthus 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 OilThis ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about Parfum