What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Honey
Humectant
Hypericum Perforatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialParfum
Masking
Water, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Honey, Hypericum Perforatum Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Tetradecane
Perfuming
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Oleate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPhenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Behentrimonium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Tetradecane, Saccharide Isomerate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Lysolecithin, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, PCA, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydroxycitronellal, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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.
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds of the Marula plant. In South Africa, Marula is called "an elephant's favorite treat".
Marula seed oil is a non-fragrant oil. It is rich in fatty acids, such as oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and more. These fatty acids help hydrate the skin.
Other components of marula seed oil include vitamin E and antioxidants such as flavonoids.
Due to the fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sclerocarya Birrea Seed OilWater. 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
