What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantSodium Salicylate
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Sodium Salicylate, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Parfum
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEugenol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingEthylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate, Synthetic Wax, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Eugenol, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl 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, 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 an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateJojoba 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.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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 Acetate