What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyethylene
AbrasiveSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPantolactone
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientPEG-10 Isostearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pantolactone, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmollientAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningCistus Monspeliensis Extract
MaskingHelichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientLemongrass Oil
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
EmulsifyingDiglycerin
HumectantPEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningStearoyl Inulin
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Ether, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Methyl Gluceth-10, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Cistus Monspeliensis Extract, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Diglycerin, PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate, Water, Stearoyl Inulin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Tocopherol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus 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 ParfumPeg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate comes from Isostearic Acid and glycerin.
It is an emollient, emulsifier, and gentle cleanser. As an emollient, it helps trap moisture to keep skin soft and hydrated. Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating.
This ingredient is common in oil-based products. This is because it helps oil-ingredients be easily washed away without leaving a residue.
Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-20 Glyceryl TriisostearatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Water. 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