What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGarcinia Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTriolein
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Dioleate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingHoney Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycerin, Propanediol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Triolein, Caprylyl Glycol, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Honey, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Dioleate, Citric Acid, Honey Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexapeptide-11, Ethylhexylglycerin
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Bis-Hydroxyethyldimonium Chloride
HumectantDisodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSilica
AbrasiveTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientTrisodium Sulfosuccinate
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Helianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientLauryl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHoney Extract
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Sulfite
PreservativeHoney
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButyrospermum Parkii Butter, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Cocamide Mipa, Hydroxypropyl Bis-Hydroxyethyldimonium Chloride, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Silica, Trihydroxystearin, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Trisodium Sulfosuccinate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Lauryl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Honey Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Sulfite, Honey, Niacinamide, Benzyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide Ng, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 ButterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarthamus tinctorius seed oil comes from safflower, one of humanity's oldest crops.
Safflower seed oil contains a high percentage of linoleic acid and oleic acid. It also contains Vitamin E. These three components are effective moisturizers.
Vitamin E helps nourish your skin's lipid barrier. It is also a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or unstable molecules that may damage your skin cells.
Due to its high fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis safe.
Thoughout history, safflower has been used for dying fabrics and in food as a saffron substitute.
Learn more about Carthamus Tinctorius Seed OilCitric 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 GlycerinHoney comes from bees. It is mainly made up of the sugars fructose and glucose.
Besides sugar, honey also contains amino acids, peptides, Vitamins A, C, and E. Vitamins A, C, and E.
As a humectant, honey is great at hydrating the skin. Humectants draw moisture from the air and hold it to your skin.
Honey also has antioxidant and antioxidant properties. Fun fact: darker honey has more antioxidants than light honey.
The antibacterial property of honey may make it effective at helping to treat acne. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Many people wonder if honey is vegan. It is technically a byproduct from bees. This is because honey is created from the digestive enzymes in a bee's stomach.
Remember to be kind to bees :) They are important for many ecosystems and are endangered.
Learn more about HoneyThis ingredient comes from honey made by bees. It is hydrating, antibacterial, anti-aging, and skin soothing.
Honey also contains amino acids, peptides, Vitamins A, C, and E.
The humectant property of honey draws moisture from the air to your skin. This makes it great at helping to hydrate the skin.
Honey may help reduce the signs of aging due to its antioxidant properties. Fun fact: darker honey has more antioxidants than light honey. The antibacterial property of honey may make it effective at helping to treat acne by killing acne-causing bacteria.
Many people wonder if honey extract is vegan. It is technically a byproduct from bees. This is because honey is created from the digestive enzymes in a bee's stomach.
Remember to be kind to bees :) They are important for many ecosystems and are endangered.
Learn more about Honey ExtractHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract comes from the vanilla orchid native to central America. It is a skin-soothing ingredient.
This ingredient is skin-soothing and contains polyphenols that give it antioxidant properties.
This ingredient is not known to sensitize or irritate skin (unlike Vanilla Tahitensis). Vanilla tahitensis has shown to irritate skin in low amounts.
Learn more about Vanilla Planifolia Fruit ExtractWater. 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