What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Water, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Max Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glycine Max Oil, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCapryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 OilSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate is a surfactant and emulsifier.
This ingredient is a tetraester from oleic acid and polyethylene glycol ether of sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it helps ingredients such as oil and water mix together. This allows the dirt and oils in your skin to be washed away.
One study found pumpkin oil containing Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate helped hydrate the skin and did not cause any irritation.
Learn more about Sorbeth-30 TetraoleateTocopherol 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
