What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingGlucose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantStearamine Oxide
CleansingOlealkonium Chloride
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglyceryl-10 Esters
EmollientXylitylglucoside
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Xylitol
HumectantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-11
C12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingThreonine
Algin
MaskingChitosan
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Wheat Amino Acids, Soy Amino Acids, Citric Acid, Glucose, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearamine Oxide, Olealkonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Isopropyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglyceryl-10 Esters, Xylitylglucoside, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Anhydroxylitol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Xylitol, Trideceth-12, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-11, C12-13 Pareth-9, Cetrimonium Chloride, Arginine Hcl, Serine, Threonine, Algin, Chitosan, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCamellia Seed Oil
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Potato Protein
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantSilk Amino Acids
HumectantGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane, Disiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Citronellol, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Camellia Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Potato Protein, 1,2-Hexanediol, Soluble Collagen, Silk Amino Acids, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Proline, Valine, Isoleucine, Phosphatidylcholine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Ceramide NP
Reviews
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 OilCaprylic/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 TriglycerideDimethicone 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 OilHydrolyzed Rice Protein is protein extracted from rice. This ingredient is rich in antioxidants and peptides.
Studies show this ingredient may help with blocking the melanin creation process when skin is exposed to UV.
Parfum 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 ParfumSerine is a non-essential amino acid (your body makes it on its own!). It is a major player in your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Serine is one of your NMF's most abundant components that works as a skin-identical humectant. Its hydroxyl group grabs onto water molecules to boost hydration without any heaviness or occlusion.
Research on a hydrogel with serine confirmed this serine got delivered to your stratum corneum and demonstrated enhanced skin moisturization.
Interestingly serine also helps your skin produce filaggrin, a protein that keeps your skin barrier strong and used to create collagen.
Learn more about SerineThreonine is an amino-acid. It helps hydrate the skin and has antioxidant benefits.
Our skin uses threonine for creating collagen and elastin. Humans are not able to create threonine and must get it through eating foods such as fish, lentils, poultry, sesame seeds, and more.
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