What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Angelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRheum Palmatum Root Extract
Astringent
Astragalus Membranaceus Extract
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Valine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Phenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPCA
Humectant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Squalane, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Diheptyl Succinate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Madecassoside, Angelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosphingosine, Sodium PCA, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Alanine, Serine, Aspartic Acid, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Arginine, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Palmitic Acid, Isoleucine, PCA, Lauroyl Lysine, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, Stearic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract
MoisturisingEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingElaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ormenis Multicaulis Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Amber Powder
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Coco-Caprylate, Dextrin Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ormenis Multicaulis Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Water, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Amber Powder, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Silica Silylate, Octyldodecanol, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
Alternatives
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 TriglycerideCurcuma Longa Root Extract is from the spice, turmeric. Besides being a healthy and delicious spice, turmeric also has plenty of skincare benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant. Antioxidants help neutralize unstable free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin's cells and DNA. Curcumin may help with anti-aging.
Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe skin and reduce irritation. On top of that, curcumin has been shown to help prevent hyperpigmentation from sun damage.
The anti-microbial property of turmeric can make it effective in treating acne. This property has also been shown to help regulate the production of sebum.
Learn more about Curcuma Longa Root ExtractOenothera Biennis Oil (aka Evening Primrose Oil) is a non-fragrant oil from the evening primrose. Like other botanical oils, it is an emollient that helps hydrate and nourish skin.
It has an interesting fatty acid profile: linoleic (70-74%) and γ-linolenic (8-10%), with some amounts ofoleic palmitic, and stearic acids.
The gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) is the headliner here; it's relatively rare in plant oils and acts as a precursor for anti-inflammatory signaling molecules in the skin.
There's a mixed body of clinical research with this ingredient as well, mostly on eczema/atopic dermatitis skin.
Some controlled trials showed improvement in inflammation, dryness, scaling, and overall severity. Other studies and large meta-analysis failed to show a significant effect; the honest takeaway here is "promising but inconsistent" rather than "miracle oil".
On the safety front, this ingredient is found to be safe as used in cosmetics and even has a history of safe food use.
Since this oil is contains oleic acid and palmitic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Oleic Acid sits at C18 and Palmitic acid sits at C16.
In vitro studies have shown that oleic acid and palmitic acid are some of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
Learn more about Oenothera Biennis OilPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolTocopherol 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
