What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasivePolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingAcrylates Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientVanillin
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOctyldodecanol
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingMethyl Nicotinate
SoothingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningNiacin
SmoothingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingCocos Nucifera Oil, Beeswax, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyethylene, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Acrylates Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Vanillin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phosphatidylcholine, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Tribehenin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Octyldodecanol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Methyl Nicotinate, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Caffeine, Niacin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid
Polybutene
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Sterols
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientIsostearyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientTriisostearyl Citrate
EmollientTrimethylolpropane Triisostearate
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Mentha Piperita Oil
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTribehenin
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAlgae Extract
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Sterols, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyethylene, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Octyldodecanol, Isostearyl Hydroxystearate, Triisostearyl Citrate, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Mentha Piperita Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Tribehenin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Algae Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, CI 15850, CI 77891, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter isn't fungal acne safe.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.
The fatty acid content of Ethylhexyl Palmitate makes it an emollient. Emollients help soften and hydrate your skin by trapping moisture within.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is also used to help improve the texture of cosmetics. It helps other ingredient dissolve in products and help disperse ingredients more evenly.
You'll likely find this ingredient in sunscreen, as it is often used to mix UV-blocking ingredients such as avobenzone and ethylhexyl triazone.
It can also help stabilize the fragrances in a product as a fragrance fixative.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be used to substitute mineral oil.
Due to its high fatty acid content, it may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateOctyldodecanol 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.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.
By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
This silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTribehenin comes from glycerin and behenic acid.
It is used as an emollient, or moisturizer. Emollients form a thin barrier on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Tribehenin