What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAvena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingParfum
MaskingPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Sulfite
PreservativeBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Glycine Soja Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Isopropyl Myristate, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Parfum, PEG-40 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingGlycol Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentParfum
MaskingDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Methylparaben
PreservativeIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeStearamide Amp
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Glycol Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Triethanolamine, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Parfum, DMDM Hydantoin, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Stearamide Amp, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Titanium Dioxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholHelianthus 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 OilParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 Water