What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Algin
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Riboflavin Phosphate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycolipids, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Laurate, Tocopherol, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Algin, Bisabolol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Riboflavin Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil
Skin Protecting
Curcuma Longa Root Oil
Perfuming
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Parfum
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Helianthus 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 OilTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
