What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingPolyethylene
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-8 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-8 Isostearate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasivePisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSqualane
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCamellia Seed Oil
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningJuglans Regia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientMatricaria Recutita Flower Oil
PerfumingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPerilla Frutescens Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Papain
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Isododecane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Wax, Pisum Sativum Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Squalane, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Juglans Regia Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Matricaria Recutita Flower Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Panthenol, Glycerin, Perilla Frutescens Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Papain, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Water, Ceramide NP, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosphingosine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 OilButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds from the tea plant. This is the same plant we get green, black, and oolong tea from.
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil is rich in oleic acid. This makes it an effective moisturizer. By drawing moisture to the skin, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil helps keep your skin hydrated.
Other components of Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil includes Vitamin E and polyphenols. These are antioxidants that may help slow down the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or unstable molecules that can damage our skin cells.
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil also has anti-inflammatory properties.
The seed oil comes from the dried kernels of the plant.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Seed OilCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
This ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.
The fatty acid content of Ethylhexyl Palmitate makes it an emollient. Emollients help soften and hydrate your skin by trapping moisture within.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is also used to help improve the texture of cosmetics. It helps other ingredient dissolve in products and help disperse ingredients more evenly.
You'll likely find this ingredient in sunscreen, as it is often used to mix UV-blocking ingredients such as avobenzone and ethylhexyl triazone.
It can also help stabilize the fragrances in a product as a fragrance fixative.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be used to substitute mineral oil.
Due to its high fatty acid content, it may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateThis 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 OilJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate is a surfactant and emulsifier.
This ingredient is a tetraester from oleic acid and polyethylene glycol ether of sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it helps ingredients such as oil and water mix together. This allows the dirt and oils in your skin to be washed away.
One study found pumpkin oil containing Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate helped hydrate the skin and did not cause any irritation.
Learn more about Sorbeth-30 TetraoleateWater. 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