What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSteareth-21
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPEG-8 Distearate
EmulsifyingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycolic Acid
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Steareth-21, Propylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, PEG-8 Distearate, Steareth-2, Oryza Sativa Starch, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-7, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Polyacrylamide, Pvp, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Glycolic Acid, Linalool, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantCetyl Palmitate
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientGlycolic Acid
BufferingTetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-75 Stearate
Polyacrylamide
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientSteareth-20
CleansingCeteth-20
CleansingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingDiazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeLaureth-7
EmulsifyingDichlorobenzyl Alcohol
Antimicrobial2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Squalane, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Cetyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glycolic Acid, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-75 Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Steareth-20, Ceteth-20, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Diazolidinyl Urea, Laureth-7, Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol, BHT, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Linalool
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 an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterThis ingredient is also known as "C13-14 Isoalkane".
C13-14 Isoparaffin is created from petroleum-based mineral oils. It is an emollient and helps thicken a product.
As an emollient, it helps keep the skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in, keeping the skin hydrated.
C13-14 Isoparaffin may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural āglueā that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (thatās where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But donāt skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless youāre highly sensitive, itās well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidLaureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
This ingredient is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.
Linalool 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 LinaloolPanthenol 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.
Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamidePropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum