What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
EmollientRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCarica Papaya Seed Oil
HumectantActinidia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPassiflora Incarnata Seed Oil
Skin ProtectingPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSilybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Camphora Leaf Extract
MaskingBoswellia Carterii Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantVetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingJasminum Officinale Oil
MaskingAbies Sibirica Oil
MaskingHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantNannochloropsis Oculata Extract
HumectantPinus Densiflora Extract
AntioxidantPorphyra Umbilicalis Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingFarnesol
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Squalane, Carica Papaya Seed Oil, Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil, Passiflora Incarnata Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora Leaf Extract, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Extract, Tocopherol, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Abies Sibirica Oil, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Pinus Densiflora Extract, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Farnesol, Benzyl Alcohol, Citral, Eugenol, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene
Rosa Canina Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingRosa Canina Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Phytosterols, Limonene, Citral, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol
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 OilCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term '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.
Learn more about CitralCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil is made by expressing watermelon seeds. It is a non-fragrant oil with antioxidant and hydrating properties.
Watermelon seed oil contains a high percentage of linoleic acid and other fatty acids. These fatty acids make it a great skin hydrator. This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Geraniol 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 GeraniolLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool 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 LinaloolThis 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 OilRosa Damascena Flower Oil is an essential oil made from the Damask Rose. It is often used as a fragrance in cosmetics.
Rose Oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties due to its terpene, glycoside, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and Vitamin C content.
Other major parts of Rose Oil include citronellol and geraniol. Both of these are known EU allergens and cause contact-allergies.
The downsides of this ingredient outweight the positives.
Learn more about Rosa Damascena Flower OilSclerocarya 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 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 TocopherolVitis Vinifera Seed Oil comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.
The components of grape seeds have many skin benefits. Research has found it to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Proanthocyanidin has been shown to help even out skin tone.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. Grape seed extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
The antimicrobial properties of grape seed may help treat acne. However, more research is needed to support this claim.
Grape seed has also been found to help absorb UV rays. Grape seed extract should not replace your sunscreen.
The fatty acids of grape seed oil give it emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin by creating a film. This film traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil