What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil
AntimicrobialBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Hydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantBis-PCA Dimethicone
Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate
CleansingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBHT
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PCA Dimethicone, Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Chlorphenesin, BHT, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingBetaine
HumectantStearalkonium Chloride
PreservativeLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingQuaternium-91
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingTrimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantCetrimonium Methosulfate
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGalactoarabinan
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTrehalose
HumectantXylitol
HumectantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
EmollientC12-16 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingMoringa Oleifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Esters, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Betaine, Stearalkonium Chloride, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Dimethicone, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Ceteareth-20, Quaternium-91, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Butylene Glycol, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, C11-15 Pareth-7, Alcohol Denat., Galactoarabinan, Caprylyl Glycol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Chlorphenesin, Trehalose, Xylitol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, C12-16 Pareth-9, Trideceth-12, Jojoba Esters, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Phosphate, Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract, Citrus Grandis
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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.
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 AlcoholCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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