What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Isocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Olivate
Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRibose
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantGlycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-19
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDiamond Powder
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Asparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingDisodium Carboxyethyl Siliconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Isocetyl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Olivate, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Propanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Ribose, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, CI 77891, Butylene Glycol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sorbitol, Mica, Glycine Soja Extract, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, CI 77491, Aminomethyl Propanol, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-19, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Diamond Powder, Citric Acid, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Disodium Carboxyethyl Siliconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Squalene
Emollient
Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, C10-18 Triglycerides, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Cetearyl Olivate, Stearyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Olivate, Behenyl Alcohol, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Medicago Sativa Seed Extract, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Gluconolactone, Phytosterols, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Squalene, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Myristyl Myristate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate is a synthetic blend of caprylic acid and capric acid.
As an emollient, this ingredient helps moisturize the skin. Emollients create a barrier on the skin that prevents water from escaping.
Cetearyl Olivate is a plant-derived emulsifier and texture enhancer. It helps keep the oil and water phases from separating so your formulas stay stable.
You'll likely see it combined with Sorbitan Olivate (together sold as the trade name Olivem 1000). This combination generates a liquid crystal structure that closely resemble the lipid organization of the stratum corneum.
These "skin-like" liquid crystals improve skin barrier integrity and promote the delivery of actives into the skin.
This ingredient is well-tolerated and has no significant sensitization data.
Because it is derived from the fatty acids in olive oil, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateChondrus Crispus Extract comes from a red algae native to the northern Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America. It helps hydrate the skin and is rich in antioxidants.
The antioxidants in chondrus crispus include lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein has the ability to filter blue light from screens.
Other contents of chondrus crispus include polysaccharides, peptides, and amino acids. These help hydrate the skin.
What's the difference between algae and seaweed?
Algae is a broad term that includes seaweed. Not all algae is seaweed.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Vegetable Oil is created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to give it more stability. This process also raises the melting point of vegetable oil. In cosmetics, it is an emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
The term "Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil" is an umbrella term and can refer to a variety of vegetable oils and blends of: sunflower oil, soybean oil, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and more.
Due to the differences in vegetables, the benefits may vary.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Vegetable OilOryza Sativa Bran Extract comes from the outer layer of a rice kernel. It is a byproduct of milling rice, or the operation to produce a whole grain rice product.
This ingredient has moisturizing properties due to its components of polysaccharides and omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains calcium, selenium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc.
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract contains numerous antioxidants such as ferulic acid. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material.
Learn more about Oryza Sativa Bran ExtractPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
