What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zea Mays Germ Oil
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHexyl Laurate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-10 Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSerine
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingGlycine Max Oil
EmollientGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningVigna Angularis Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingTrichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Skin ProtectingSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAcorus Calamus Root Extract
PerfumingBenincasa Cerifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingZea Mays Germ Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hexyl Laurate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-10 Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Parfum, Tocopherol, Serine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycine Max Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Vigna Angularis Seed Extract, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Benincasa Cerifera Seed Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Arginine, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Glutamic Acid, Glycoproteins, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Citronellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal
Zea Mays Germ Oil
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
EmulsifyingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingSqualane
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantGeraniol
PerfumingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingZea Mays Germ Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Squalane, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Tocopherol, Geraniol, Glycine Soja Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phospholipids, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Citric Acid, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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 ingredientâs final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarthamus tinctorius seed oil comes from safflower, one of humanity's oldest crops.
Safflower seed oil contains a high percentage of linoleic acid and oleic acid. It also contains Vitamin E. These three components are effective moisturizers.
Vitamin E helps nourish your skin's lipid barrier. It is also a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or unstable molecules that may damage your skin cells.
Due to its high fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis safe.
Thoughout history, safflower has been used for dying fabrics and in food as a saffron substitute.
Learn more about Carthamus Tinctorius Seed OilEthylhexyl 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 PalmitateGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 ParfumJojoba 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 OilSqualane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, itâs technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term âoil-freeâ isnât regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about SqualaneTocopherol 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 TocopherolZea Mays Germ Oil comes from corn.
It is an occlusive skin conditioning agent.