What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCoconut Alkanes
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Seed Oil
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingSpilanthes Acmella Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningLavandula Hybrida Grosso Herb Oil
PerfumingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCinnamomum Camphora Linalooliferum Wood Oil
PerfumingAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCymbopogon Nardus Oil
MaskingSantalum Album Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
MaskingMenthol
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingOryza Sativa Bran Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Coconut Alkanes, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Tocopherol, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Lavandula Hybrida Grosso Herb Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cinnamomum Camphora Linalooliferum Wood Oil, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Glyceryl Oleate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, Santalum Album Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Menthol, Citric Acid, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientHelichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicHelichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
MaskingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientRosa Moschata Seed Oil
EmollientMyrtus Communis Oil
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Myrtus Communis Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil is from the seeds of the starflower plant. This plant grows primarily in Europe.
This oil does not have a scent. It contains fatty acids such as linolenic acid. These fatty acids help keep skin hydrated.
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
Learn more about Borago Officinalis Seed OilThis 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 TriglycerideCitral 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 CitralCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil, 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%.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe. It can help to reduce redness.
Geraniol 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 GeraniolHelianthus 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 LinaloolOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Oenothera Biennis Oil is the fixed oil derived from the seeds of the Evening Primrose.
Evening primrose oil is rich in fatty acids. These fatty acids include linoleic (60-85%), oleic (5-12%), palmitic (4-10%), and stearic (2-4%).
The fatty acid composition makes it a great ingredient for soothing and moisturizing skin. However, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne safe.
Further research is needed on the role of evening primrose in treating eczema.
Evening primrose is native to North America.
Learn more about Oenothera Biennis OilPelargonium Graveolens Oil is the pressed oil of the Rose Geranium plant. It has perfuming and masking properties.
This ingredient contains citronellol and geraniol. These compounds may cause allergies and skin-sensitivity.
The scent of Rose Geranium closely resembles. you guessed it: roses.
Learn more about Pelargonium Graveolens OilTocopherol 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 Tocopherol