What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Kaolin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Sodium Carbomer, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Clay Minerals
AstringentZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Seed Oil
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAcer Saccharum Sap
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Medica Limonum Peel
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Lactoperoxidase
StabilisingZingiber Officinale Root
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cucumis Sativus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Calophyllum Tacamahaca Seed Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Selenium Sulfide
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Clay Minerals, Zinc Oxide, Glycerin, Kaolin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Camellia Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Cetyl Alcohol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Tocopherol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Acer Saccharum Sap, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lactoperoxidase, Zingiber Officinale Root, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Calophyllum Tacamahaca Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Mentha Piperita Oil, Selenium Sulfide, Ascorbic Acid, Thioctic Acid
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 ButterThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetyl 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.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinVitis Vinifera Seed Oil comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.
The components of grape seeds have many skin benefits. Research has found it to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Proanthocyanidin has been shown to help even out skin tone.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. Grape seed extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
The antimicrobial properties of grape seed may help treat acne. However, more research is needed to support this claim.
Grape seed has also been found to help absorb UV rays. Grape seed extract should not replace your sunscreen.
The fatty acids of grape seed oil give it emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin by creating a film. This film traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Seed 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 Water
