What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsohexadecane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Propionate
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylparaben
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeButylparaben
MaskingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isohexadecane, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Propionate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSteareth-2
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingHydrogenated Coconut Oil
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentAphloia Theiformis Leaf Extract
AstringentSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingEthyl Linoleate
EmollientZea Mays Germ Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCorylus Avellana Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientLecithin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbic Acid
PreservativePrunus Persica Kernel Oil
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingPistacia Vera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Germ Oil
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Oil
EmollientJuglans Regia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantSilybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCarapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingRosa Damascena Extract
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingCitronellol
PerfumingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Dimethicone, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Steareth-2, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Steareth-21, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Stearyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Aphloia Theiformis Leaf Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ethyl Linoleate, Zea Mays Germ Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbic Acid, Prunus Persica Kernel Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Pistacia Vera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Juglans Regia Seed Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, BHT, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Rosa Damascena Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Alcohol, Propyl Gallate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHelianthus 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 OilParfum 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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