What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Methyl Gluceth-10 Hydroxypropyldimonium Chloride
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dipropylene Glycol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Lauryl Methyl Gluceth-10 Hydroxypropyldimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Lauryl Betaine, CI 42090, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Flower Oil
Perfuming
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Callitris Intratropica Wood Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Flower Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Callitris Intratropica Wood Oil
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 OilHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil is the fixed oil obtained from Macadamia nut native to Australia. Due to its similarity with our skin's natural oils, macadamia oil absorbs easily without feeling greasy.
Macadamia seed oil is rich in fatty acids, including oleic acid (45-75%), palmitoleic acid (7-33%), and palmitic acid (6-12%). They also contain various B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.
Palmitoleic acid helps calm inflammation and supports wound healing while oleic acid helps hydrate the skin.
Due to the high amounts of palmitic and oleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. These are fatty acids that Malassezia yeast can feed on (C11-C24 chain length). If you're prone to fungal acne, this one's probably not for you.
You'll also see this ingredient listed as: Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil. This is the same ingredient; M. ternifolia is an older INCI naming convention for the edible macadamia nut, while M. integrifolia is the species actually cultivated for oil production. Both names refer to the same oil.
Learn more about Macadamia Integrifolia Seed OilThis 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 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
