What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Monascus Extract
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Olivate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Trihydroxystearin, Monascus Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Dehydroacetic Acid
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 OilThis 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 Oil
