What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
PEG-10 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Cetyl 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
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C13-15 Alkane
SolventPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPolysorbate 85
Emulsifying
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-15 Alkane, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Synthetic Wax, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Polysorbate 85, Oryza Sativa Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trihydroxystearin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Water, Butylene Glycol, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 GlycolCaprylic/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 TriglycerideDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolHelianthus 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 OilPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate is a synthetic, oil-loving helper ingredient that does two jobs:
This ingredient is made by joining three building blocks: PEG, Isostearic Acid and glycerin. The PEG gives it the oil-and-water blending power.
This ingredient has been found safe for use in cosmetics and broader PEG family testing shows minimal irritation/sensitization. The molecule's large size also means it isn't expected to penetrate skin to any meaningful degree.
Fungal acne note: This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to isostearic acid (C18). Isostearic acid falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about PEG-20 Glyceryl TriisostearateWater. 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
