What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrofluorocarbon 152a
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialIsohexadecane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningOleyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningLinoleamidopropyl Dimethylamine Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningMalic Acid
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingVanillin
MaskingHydrofluorocarbon 152a, Alcohol Denat., Isohexadecane, Isododecane, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Squalane, Tocopherol, Ethyl Macadamiate, Oleyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Linoleamidopropyl Dimethylamine Dimer Dilinoleate, C13-15 Alkane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Water, Malic Acid, BHT, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalyl Acetate, Vanillin
Isobutane
Sd Alcohol 40-B
AstringentButane
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientParfum
MaskingEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningSilicone Quaternium-3
Glycereth-26
HumectantPanthenyl Ethyl Ether
Water
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingQuaternium-91
Cetrimonium Methosulfate
AntimicrobialCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhytantriol
HumectantQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientBrassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Liquid Endosperm
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialLitchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientMalic Acid
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningVegetable Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGalactoarabinan
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientXylitol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
PreservativeCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingEthyl Linoleate
EmollientEthyl Oleate
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-37
Caprylic Acid
CleansingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingIsobutane, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Butane, Diisopropyl Adipate, Parfum, Ethyl Macadamiate, Silicone Quaternium-3, Glycereth-26, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Water, Trideceth-12, Quaternium-91, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Phytantriol, Quaternium-95, Propanediol, Caffeine, Biotin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Niacinamide, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Cocos Nucifera Liquid Endosperm, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Tocopherol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Malic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Vegetable Amino Acids, Sodium Carrageenan, Phenoxyethanol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Galactoarabinan, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Xylitol, Trehalose, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbic Acid, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Ethyl Linoleate, Ethyl Oleate, Sorbitan Oleate, Polyquaternium-37, Caprylic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
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 OilEthyl Macadamiate isn't fungal acne safe.
Malic Acid is an acid with both AHA and BHA properties, but is considered an AHA because its AHA properties are stronger.
It can be naturally found in unripe fruit and especially apples (its name from the latin word "malum", meaning apple!).
Like other AHAs, malic acid gently removes the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal smoother, brighter skin underneath.
Though it’s considered milder and less potent than glycolic or lactic acid, it can help improve:
Due to its larger molecular structure, it penetrates the skin more slowly and is often used in combination with other AHAs to enhance their overall effectiveness.
Malic acid often plays a role in balancing a product’s pH and is usually included in small amounts (around 1-2%) as a supporting exfoliant.
As with all exfoliating acids, you should wear sunscreen daily when using malic acid to protect your newly resurfaced skin.
Fun fact: Malic acid is the compound responsible for the tart flavor of apples and other sour fruits.
While research on malic acid is limited compared to glycolic or lactic acid, it’s still a safe and mild exfoliant.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Malic AcidParfum 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 ParfumSodium 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 BenzoateTocopherol 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 Water