What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sucrose
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningTrihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingLimonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sucrose, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Water, Trihydroxystearin, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Parfum, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sodium Benzoate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Limonene, Citral, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Sucrose
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Passiflora Incarnata Seed Oil
Skin Protecting
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
Masking
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Sucrose, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Passiflora Incarnata Seed Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tocopherol, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, BHT, Triethyl Citrate
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral 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 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 LimoneneSucrose is a natural sugar found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. It is the main constituent of white sugar.
In skincare, sucrose is a humectant and can be a mild exfoliant.
Sucrose is hydrophilic, meaning it attracts water. This makes it an effective humectant and helps hydrate the skin.
Studies show sugars may worsen acne-prone skin due to it disrupting the skin's natural biome. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
In some products such as body scrubs, sucrose is used as an gentle exfoliant.
The term 'sucrose' comes from the french word for sugar, 'sucre'.
Learn more about Sucrose
