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
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Ethyl Ester
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Cetearyl Olivate
Lactobacillus/Dipteryx Odorata Seed Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCitrus Reticulata Peel Oil
MaskingAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Seed Oil
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil
Skin ProtectingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingPopulus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
MaskingRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phytate
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCurcumin
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Bark Extract
AntimicrobialMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantCitral
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Silybum Marianum Ethyl Ester, Propanediol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Cetearyl Olivate, Lactobacillus/Dipteryx Odorata Seed Ferment Filtrate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glycerin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil, Mica, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Water, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Curcumin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Bark Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Citral, Geraniol, 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.
Cetearyl Olivate is a plant-derived emulsifier and texture enhancer. It helps keep the oil and water phases from separating so your formulas stay stable.
You'll likely see it combined with Sorbitan Olivate (together sold as the trade name Olivem 1000). This combination generates a liquid crystal structure that closely resemble the lipid organization of the stratum corneum.
These "skin-like" liquid crystals improve skin barrier integrity and promote the delivery of actives into the skin.
This ingredient is well-tolerated and has no significant sensitization data.
Because it is derived from the fatty acids in olive oil, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateCitral 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 AcidGeraniol 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 LinaloolMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s 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 PropanediolThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTocopherol 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