What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Vegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Nigella Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingZinc PCA
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Totarol
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Alanyl Glutamine
HumectantArginine
Masking
Oligopeptide-177
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, C10-18 Triglycerides, Dicaprylyl Ether, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate, Vegetable Oil, Octyldodecanol, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Panthenol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Niacinamide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Zinc PCA, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Benzoate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Totarol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Oligopeptide-177, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Phenylalanine, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Physalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract
Skin ConditioningVerbascum Thapsus Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientRose Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningMichelia Alba Leaf Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Physalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract, Verbascum Thapsus Extract, Algae Extract, Rose Extract, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, BHT, CI 77491, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene
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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePanthenol 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 PanthenolPotassium 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 BenzoateTocopheryl 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
