What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientStearoyl Inulin
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingPolyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmulsifyingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingCedrus Atlantica Wood Oil
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingGlutathione
Disodium EDTA
Niacinamide
SmoothingPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningLinolenic Acid
CleansingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Glycerin, Triethylhexanoin, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Stearoyl Inulin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Wood Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Water, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Glutathione, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Pantothenic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Biotin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyanocobalamin, Limonene, Linalool
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Triethylhexanoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Polyisobutene, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Gluconolactone, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol
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
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetyl 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinHelianthus 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 OilRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is oil expressed from the leaves of the rosemary plant.
Rosemary Leaf Oil is a fragrance and helps give your product a scent. If you are sensitive to irritating fragrances, this one contains camphor. Camphor has been found to irritate skin.
This oil also contains antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. As an antioxidant, it may protect you skin against damage. This can help slow down the signs of aging.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf 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 TetraoleateTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about TriethylhexanoinWater. 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