What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingKaolin
AbrasiveHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasiveZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingBenzoic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Polysorbate 60, Stearic Acid, Kaolin, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Charcoal Powder, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Zinc Oxide, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Citral, Linalool
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingSodium Phytate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialNicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningN-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingPropanediol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantColloidal Gold
AntimicrobialAcetyl Heptapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingFarnesol
PerfumingRosa Damascena Flower Water, Glycerin, Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Octyldodecanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Trehalose, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Sorbitol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, CI 77891, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Steareth-21, Ethylhexylglycerin, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Trideceth-6, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Silica, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Benzoic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Mica, Colloidal Gold, Acetyl Heptapeptide-9, CI 77491, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral, Farnesol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.
In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.
The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.
Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitral is a fragrance and used to add a lemon-like scent to products. It is both naturally found in plants and created synthetically. In plants, it is commonly occurring in lemon myrtle, lemongrass, lemon tea-tree, lemon verbena, and other citruses.
The EU mandates Citral be listed separately as a fragrance. It is a known allergen and may cause contact dermatitis. Citral can also used as a masking ingredient.
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.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
Learn more about CitralCocos Nucifera Oil is obtained from the kernels of the coconut fruit. In other words, this is coconut oil.
Coconut Oil is rich in fatty acids with lauric acid making up the majority of these. It also contains linoleic acid. Due to this high fatty acid content, coconut oil helps trap moisture and soften skin.
Despite being antibacterial, coconut oil may not be great for acne-prone skin. It is comedogenic and may clog pores. This ingredient may not be safe for malassezia or fungal acne.
Note: Coconut Oil should not replace your sunscreen for UV protection. Studies show it only blocks about 20% of UV.
This oil is non-volatile and has a light scent.
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 Cocos Nucifera OilEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (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 TocopherolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum