What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-10 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingJasminum Officinale Extract
MaskingProtease
ExfoliatingEthylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Panthenol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Protease
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Triethylhexanoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Polyisobutene, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Gluconolactone, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCamellia Japonica Seed Oil comes from the Japanese Camellia plant. This plant is native to East Asia and known as "Tsubaki" in Japanese.
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil is rich in oleic acid. This makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe the skin by forming a barrier. This barrier traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydated.
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 GlycolCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Ethylhexyl 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 PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinThis oil comes from the outer layer (bran) of rice grains. It is packed with skin-friendly fatty acids to soften and condition the skin while supporting your moisture barrier.
What makes it stand out from other plant oils is its naturally high concentration of gamma-oryzanol, a potent antioxidant. This antioxidant has shown some UV-absorptive properties in research.
Other antioxidants found in this oil include tocopherols, tocotrienols, and ferulic acid.
According to manufacturers, this oil has a lightweight texture that absorbs nicely.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics and it has not shown to be a skin sensitizer in testing (unless you have a known rice allergy).
Due to the fatty acids (primarily Oleic Acid ~40%, Linoleic Acid ~30%, and some Palmitic Acid), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Oryza Sativa Bran 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 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 TocopherolWater. 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