What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningVp/Va Copolymer
Bentonite
Absorbent
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Lanolin Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lanolin Cera
EmollientPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cera Alba
Emollient
C18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientTribehenin
Emollient
PEG-40 Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Potassium Stearate
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Echinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingGeranium Maculatum Extract
TonicTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientBenzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Surfactant
Nylon-10/10
Laurtrimonium Chloride
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Vp/Va Copolymer, Bentonite, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Lanolin Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lanolin Cera, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cera Alba, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Tribehenin, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Potassium Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, CI 77891, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrated Silica, Pvp, Diheptyl Succinate, Benzophenone-4, Isopropyl Alcohol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Nylon-10/10, Laurtrimonium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamide Dipa
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-70
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tilia Tomentosa Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Laureth-10
EmulsifyingCocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-20 Glyceryl Laurate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tetrasodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Cocamide Dipa, Polyquaternium-70, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tilia Tomentosa Bud Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Glycol Distearate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Laureth-10, Cocamide Mea, Polysorbate 20, PEG-20 Glyceryl Laurate, Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer, Linoleic Acid, Parfum, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
