What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingEthylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Palmitate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Limonene
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingEthylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyethylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Glycerin, BHT, Water, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateThis ingredient is also known as Avocado oil. It's the cold-pressed oil from the flesh of the avocado fruit packed with fatty acids (mostly oleic acid).
The rich fatty acid profile allows it to function as a skin conditioning agent and emollient; it helps soften and smooth skin while reducing water loss.
Preclinical research has found that topical avocado oil increased collagen synthesis and reduced inflammation during wound healing, giving it some skin-repairing credibility.
The unsaponifiable fraction of the oil is also interesting: studies on avocado unsaponifiables showed that it helped skin produce more collagen and other structural compounds that support healing.
The CIR Expert Panel has found this ingredient to be non-irritating in formulations.
It's a great ingredient for dry or compromised skin. Just know it may not be fungal acne safe. This is because the oleic acid content falls within the range that Malassezia can use as a food source.
Learn more about Persea Gratissima 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.
This ingredient is the oil from the apricot.
Apricot Kernel Oil is an emollient and helps soften skin. This is due to its fatty acid components. Some of these fatty acids include linoleic and oleic acid.
This ingredient also has antioxidant properties from Vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Besides being antioxidants, these vitamins provide plenty of skin benefits as well.
Learn more about Prunus Armeniaca Kernel OilSesame oil comes from sesame seeds. Sesame oil is rich in fatty acids and Vitamin E.
It has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The phenolic compounds of this ingredient (including vitamin E) give it these properties.
Unrefined sesame oil has a comedogenic rating of 3, while refined sesame oil has a rating of 1. This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
The fatty acids in sesame oil include linoleic acid (41%), oleic acid (39%), palmitic acid (8%), stearic acid (5%), and some small traces of others.
Learn more about Sesamum Indicum Seed OilJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilTocopheryl 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 Acetate