What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Parachlorella Beijerinckii Exopolysaccharides
Skin ProtectingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Coffea Arabica Seed Oil
Masking
Tribehenin
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
PEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPfaffia Paniculata Root Extract
SoothingPtychopetalum Olacoides Bark/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Ceteareth-20
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Steareth-20
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingChlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Stearic Acid, Isopropyl Isostearate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Parachlorella Beijerinckii Exopolysaccharides, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Tribehenin, Ceramide Ng, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Glucosamine Hcl, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Pfaffia Paniculata Root Extract, Ptychopetalum Olacoides Bark/Stem Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Phospholipids, Ceteareth-20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Aminomethyl Propanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Steareth-20, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ecklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycol Palmitate
Emulsifying
Glycol Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Agarum Cribrosum Extract
Skin ConditioningCodium Fragile Extract
Skin ConditioningCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Cloustoni Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Porphyra Yezoensis Extract
Skin ConditioningSolidago Virgaurea Extract
Skin ConditioningUlva Lactuca Extract
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycol
HumectantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantStearic Acid
Cleansing
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate-13
PEG-100 Stearate
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Water, Butylene Glycol, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycol Palmitate, Glycol Stearate Se, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Agarum Cribrosum Extract, Codium Fragile Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Laminaria Cloustoni Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Porphyra Yezoensis Extract, Solidago Virgaurea Extract, Ulva Lactuca Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Adenosine, Trehalose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Dipropylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Glycol, CI 77288, Palmitic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, CI 77492, CI 77499, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyacrylate-13, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Parfum, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
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 ButterCetearyl 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopheryl 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 AcetateUndaria Pinnatifida Extract comes from a kelp native to the northern Pacific Ocean. It is more commonly known as "wakame".
This kelp contains fatty acids, sodium, calcium, iodine, thiamine, and niacin. Studies show a polysaccharide known as fucoidan exhibits strong antioxidant activities. Fucoidan can be found in the cell walls of many species of brown seaweed.
Wakame prefers cold and temperate oceans. It is used in Japanese and Korean cuisine (yummy!).
Learn more about Undaria Pinnatifida 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
