What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientEthyl Oleate
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Oenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
EmulsifyingZinc PCA
HumectantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlanyl Glutamine
HumectantArginine
MaskingOligopeptide-177
Phenylalanine
MaskingSisymbrium Irio Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingDextran
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin ConditioningWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalane, Glycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ethyl Oleate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Magnesium Sulfate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Zinc PCA, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Oligopeptide-177, Phenylalanine, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Dextran, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Olea Europaea Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientLamium Album Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPapaver Rhoeas Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingActinotus Helianthi Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water Extract
AntioxidantFoeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbus Aucuparia Fruit/Leaf Extract
HumectantChenopodium Album Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeLecithin
EmollientIsoamyl Cocoate
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantIron Oxides
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeP-Anisic Acid
MaskingFragaria Vesca Fruit
AstringentAlthaea Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Water, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Water, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Isoamyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Lamium Album Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Papaver Rhoeas Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Actinotus Helianthi Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract, Sorbus Aucuparia Fruit/Leaf Extract, Chenopodium Album Flower Extract, Bakuchiol, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Lactobacillus Ferment, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Lecithin, Isoamyl Cocoate, Diheptyl Succinate, Tocopherol, Iron Oxides, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, P-Anisic Acid, Fragaria Vesca Fruit, Althaea Officinalis Leaf Extract
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 ButterCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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.
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 TocopherolWater. 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