What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingMeadowfoam Delta-Lactone
Skin ConditioningPolyethylene
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingMacadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingRicinus Communis Seed Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Jojoba Esters, Microcrystalline Wax, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceresin, Meadowfoam Delta-Lactone, Polyethylene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ozokerite, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Honey Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Propolis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate, Bisabolol, Trihydroxystearin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tocopherol, Water, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Linalool, Limonene, Citral
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingMacadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasivePolyethylene
AbrasivePolymethylsilsesquioxane
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Glycine Soja Oil
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMonascus Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment
Skin ProtectingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Microcrystalline Wax, Diisostearyl Malate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate, Synthetic Wax, Polyethylene, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Monascus Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Dehydroacetic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
This ingredient is also known as Bhringaraj extract or False Daisy. It is a skin conditioning ingredient that keeps skin soft and hydrated.
Research shows it has antioxidant properties; lab studies have found it can protect skin cells from UV-induced damage and help suppress inflammation.
There's also some interesting research on its potential to support hair growth by promoting the growth phase of the hair cycle.
Those with an allergy to plants in the daisy family may want to patch test this ingredient. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated otherwise.
Learn more about Eclipta Prostrata ExtractHelianthus 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 OilHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil comes from the seabuckthorn berry. The seabuckthorn fruit contains carotenoids, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid and vitamin E.
The nutritious content of seabuckthorn fruit oil helps hydrate and nourish the skin. A study from 2018 found seabuckthorn may help with alleviating UV damage due to its anti-inflammatory property.
Carotenoids and Vitamin E help nourish your skin's natural barrier. This barrier protects your skin and is responsible for firm skin.
Learn more about Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit OilMacadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate is an oil.
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
Microcrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds of Moringa oleifera plant. It is more commonly known as Moringa seed oil.
Moringa seeds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin hydrating properties. These seeds are rich in oils, proteins, monounsaturated fats, and tocopherols.
As an emollient, moringa seed oil helps trap moisture in the skin by creating a film on top. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Many compounds in moringa seed oil are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. These compounds include Vitamin E. , catechins, ferulic acid, and more.
Another compound found in Moringa seed oil is oleic acid.
Moringa trees are native to the Himalayan mountains.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Moringa Oleifera Seed OilThis ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilPolyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.
Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
Besides hydrating the skin, castor oil is also used to hydrate hair. By keeping the hair shaft moisturized, breakage is decreased. More studies are needed to show castor oil's effective on stimulating hair growth.
Castor oil is created by cold-pressing castor seeds and then purifying the oil with heat. It was used in Ancient Egypt as fuel in lamps and to help treat eye irritation.
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 Ricinus Communis Seed OilTocopherol (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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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