What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCoco-Caprylate
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningBis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberLimonene
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingPseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate
HumectantDimethicone, Isohexadecane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Coco-Caprylate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Propanediol, Zea Mays Oil, Beta-Carotene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Water, Morinda Citrifolia Seed Powder, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Limonene, Tocopherol, Citral, Linalool, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Citronellol, Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventOctyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer
HumectantHoney
HumectantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Seed Oil
EmollientAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantDihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTartaric Acid
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCoumarin
PerfumingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Propanediol, Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Honey, Yeast Extract, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Pyrus Malus Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Tocopherol, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Dihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl, Panthenol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tartaric Acid, Linalool, Citral, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Coumarin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, BHT, 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.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term '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.
Learn more about CitralEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateHelianthus 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 OilLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol 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