What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Cymbidium Grandiflorum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Angelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract
Cosmetic ColorantGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Glycolate
BufferingSodium Formate
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Dimethicone, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium PCA, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Magnesium PCA, Cymbidium Grandiflorum Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopherol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Glycolate, Sodium Formate, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glycerin
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Anise Alcohol
Perfuming
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maltodextrin, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Benzoate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Limonene, Anise Alcohol, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateCarthamus tinctorius seed oil comes from safflower, one of humanity's oldest crops.
Safflower seed oil contains a high percentage of linoleic acid and oleic acid. It also contains Vitamin E. These three components are effective moisturizers.
Vitamin E helps nourish your skin's lipid barrier. It is also a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or unstable molecules that may damage your skin cells.
Due to its high fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis safe.
Thoughout history, safflower has been used for dying fabrics and in food as a saffron substitute.
Learn more about Carthamus Tinctorius Seed OilThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 OilLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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 LimoneneMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
