What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSteareth-2
EmulsifyingParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientEuglena Gracilis Extract
Skin ConditioningSteareth-21
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTea-Hydroiodide
BufferingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantCurcuma Zedoaria Root Oil
PerfumingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Oil
MaskingTripeptide-3
Skin ConditioningDecapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingFoeniculum Vulgare Oil
EmollientCinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil
MaskingPiper Nigrum Seed Oil
AstringentLimonene
PerfumingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLinalool
PerfumingCera Alba
EmollientEugenol
PerfumingArginine
MaskingCitral
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantCinnamal
PerfumingLecithin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
ChelatingWater, Steareth-2, Paraffinum Liquidum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Euglena Gracilis Extract, Steareth-21, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tea-Hydroiodide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Curcuma Zedoaria Root Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Oil, Tripeptide-3, Decapeptide-2, Escin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Foeniculum Vulgare Oil, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil, Piper Nigrum Seed Oil, Limonene, Carbomer, Linalool, Cera Alba, Eugenol, Arginine, Citral, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Cinnamal, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium EDTA
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingCorylus Avellana Seed Oil
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
AntioxidantCitrus Junos Peel Oil
AstringentCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Reticulata Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed
PerfumingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Plankton Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Citrus Junos Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Geraniol
Alternatives
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 TriglycerideCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term '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.
Learn more about CitralHelianthus 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 OilLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolThis ingredient is also known as sweet almond oil. It is a lightweight, cold-pressed oil from the ripe seeds of the sweet almond tree.
Sweet almond oil is rich in skin-nourishing fatty acids such as oleic acid (55-86%) and linolenic acid (7-35%).
As an emollient, it softens and hydrates skin by forming a thin barrier that locks in moisture.
Clinical studies have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing. The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the available safety data and concluded it is safe for topical use.
Because of the oleic acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis OilTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol