What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Oleyl Alcohol
Emollient
Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Cera Alba
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Glyceryl Abietate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMel Extract
MoisturisingThaumatococcus Danielli Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Oleyl Alcohol, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Cetyl Esters, Cera Alba, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Glyceryl Abietate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Jojoba Esters, Parfum, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mel Extract, Thaumatococcus Danielli Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Phytosterols, Sorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Water, Maltodextrin, Limonene, Linalool
Hydrogenated Coconut Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Cera Alba
Emollient
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
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 ButterCera alba is beeswax, or the wax used by bees to make honeycombs. It is a texture-enhancer and emollient. A study from 2003 found beeswax to be a stronger emollient than ingredients such as petroleum jelly.
As an emollient, beeswax helps hydrate the skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in.
Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating. This helps create consistent texture.
The structure of beeswax is mainly long-chain alcohols and the esters of fatty acids.
There are three types of beeswax: yellow, white, and absolute. Yellow is pure beeswax taken from the honeycomb. White beeswax is created by filtering or bleaching yellow beeswax. Absolute beeswax is created by treating beeswax with alcohol. Beeswax used in cosmetics are purified.
Beeswax has been used throughout history and even in prehistoric times. Some common uses for beeswax still used today are making candles, as a waterproofing agent, and polish for leather.
Learn more about Cera AlbaLimonene 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 LinaloolThis ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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
