What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPanicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Petal Extract
CleansingTapioca Starch
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Petal Extract, Tapioca Starch, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citral, Coumarin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSucrose Polystearate
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHectorite
AbsorbentAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveGentiana Septemfida Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGentiana Acaulis Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Sucrose Polystearate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hectorite, Alcohol Denat., Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Gentiana Septemfida Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Gentiana Acaulis Flower/Leaf Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Betaine, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCitral 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 CitralGeraniol 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 GeraniolHelianthus 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 OilLimonene 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 LinaloolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumWheatgerm oil is a yellow/reddish oil derived from germs on the common wheat. It is rich in Vitamin E, an ingredient with many skin benefits.
About 80% of the oil is made up of fatty acids. The majority of these include linoleic acid and linolenic acid.
Studies show this oil can aid in wound healing and soothing inflammation.
This ingredient may not be acne or fungal-acne safe.
Sometimes, the Vitamin E derived from wheat germ can contain gluten. However, most plant derived oil is processed to remove all proteins.
Learn more about Triticum Vulgare Germ 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 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