What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Menthol
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Camphor
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Morus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAsarum Sieboldii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBiota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Smilax Glabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Illite
Abrasive
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
Humectant
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantSilk Extract
Skin ConditioningVolcanic Ash Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Silkworm Cocoon Extract
HumectantMilk Protein Extract
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Cholesterol
Emollient
Serine
Masking
Asparagine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
Masking
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSilk Powder
Skin ConditioningKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Valine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Glutamic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Isoamyl Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Menthol, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Camphor, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Asarum Sieboldii Root Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Biotin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Smilax Glabra Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Illite, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Honey Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Silk Extract, Volcanic Ash Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Silkworm Cocoon Extract, Milk Protein Extract, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Glycine, Cholesterol, Serine, Asparagine, Leucine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamine, Silk Powder, Keratin Amino Acids, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Valine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Tryptophan, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicGlycerin
Humectant
Behenyl Behenate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Yucca Filamentosa Root Extract
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMenthone Glycerin Acetal
Refreshing
Menthol
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Leaf
RefreshingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Cetyl Alcohol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Allantoin, Biotin, Glycerin, Behenyl Behenate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Coco-Caprylate, Yucca Filamentosa Root Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Menthol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Leaf, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biotin is a B vitamin that is naturally produced by our bodies. It is also called Vitamin H.
Our bodies use biotin in the metabolism process. It also helps our bodies use enzymes and move nutrients around. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails.
More research is needed on applying biotin topically. However, taking biotin orally has been shown to help nourish the skin, hair, and nails. They play a role in forming skin-hydrating fatty acids.
Biotin is water-soluble. It can be found in foods such as fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and meat. Vitamin H stands for "haar" and "haut". These are the German words for hair and skin.
Learn more about BiotinCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is a plant-derived protein made by breaking down wheat proteins into smaller amino acids and peptides. It has skin and hair conditioning properties.
People with known wheat allergy or a history of immediate reactions should be cautious with leave-on products containing hydrolyzed wheat proteins.
Menthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholThis 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 OilThis ingredient is also known as Indian Gooseberry or Amla Berry. It is skin hydrating and antioxidant rich.
Indian gooseberry is rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols, tannins, and vitamin C compounds.
This ingredient is also known as castor oil. It is a skin conditioning ingredient.
The star component of castor oil is ricinoleic acid, an unusual fatty acid that makes up ~80-92% of its composition.
In skincare, it is an emollient that dries down to a solid film with water-binding properties. This helps keep skin hydrated and helps reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
A 2026 dermatology review pulls together its broader uses:
Human clinical testing found this ingredient to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Because castor oil contains fatty acids in the C11-24 range, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
At this time, the literature does not support castor oil in regrowing hair. A 2022 systematic review found no strong evidence that it supports hair growth and only weak evidence that it improves hair shine.
Castor oil itself carries "perfuming" and "masking" function tags according to the official CosIng database. This is because of its mild odor and odor-dampening properties.
Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed 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.
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 OilVitis 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 OilWater. 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
