What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingPyrus Pyrifolia Fruit Extract
EmollientVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Occidentalis Fruit Extract
AstringentPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Tangerina Extract
TonicPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantAroma
Linalool
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCinnamal
PerfumingAmylcinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Pyrus Pyrifolia Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Occidentalis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Tangerina Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Aroma, Linalool, Eugenol, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamal, Amylcinnamyl Alcohol, CI 17200
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil
EmollientPolybutene
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Corylus Avellana Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientSodium Saccharin
MaskingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingPaeonia Officinalis Flower Extract
TonicPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil
MaskingPrunus Cerasus Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLitchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningAverrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Bark Extract
MaskingLycium Chinense Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Alba Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVanilla Planifolia Seed Powder
AbrasiveRubus Villosus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningAroma
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantRosin
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil, Polybutene, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Sodium Saccharin, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil, Prunus Cerasus Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Averrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Bark Extract, Lycium Chinense Leaf Extract, Brassica Alba Seed Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Seed Powder, Rubus Villosus Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Glycerin, Water, Aroma, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77120, Rosin, CI 15850, CI 42090, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aroma refers to an ingredient, or mixture of ingredients, that impart or mask a flavor.
The name is slightly confusing. This is because INCI associates aroma with flavor instead of smell.
Here is the official definition from the The International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook:
“Aroma is a term for ingredient labeling used to identify that a product contains a material or combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular flavor.”
INCI shows the only purpose of aroma to be "flavouring".
However, due to regulation differences, some companies may use aroma in place of parfum.
In Canada, this ingredient only has to be listed in concentrations above 1%.
Learn more about AromaCaprylic/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 TriglycerideHelianthus 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 OilWe don't have a description for Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract yet.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Jojoba 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.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient 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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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