What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Squalane
EmollientCetyl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingMyristyl Myristate
EmollientAphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantCocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
CleansingAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasiveAndrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract
AstringentCistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Hybrida Extract
EmollientTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Citric Acid
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePhenylpropanol
MaskingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Diheptyl Succinate, Propanediol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Squalane, Cetyl Stearate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Behenyl Alcohol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Myristyl Myristate, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Andrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract, Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Extract, Triheptanoin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Tocopherol, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylpropanol, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingCorylus Avellana Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Seed Extract
EmollientCitrus Medica Peel Oil
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCitrus Tangerina Peel Oil
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprate
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Extract, Citrus Medica Peel Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Tocopherol, Citrus Tangerina Peel Oil, Silica, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Glycine Soja Oil, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Cellulose Gum, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Benzoic Acid, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholCitral 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 CitralCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene 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 LinaloolTocopherol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum