What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPetrolatum
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientParfum
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSilk Amino Acids
HumectantHydrolyzed Wool
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDimethicone
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingAcrylic Acid/Vp Crosspolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Starch
AbsorbentAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentTribehenin
EmollientGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Imidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Petrolatum, Isododecane, Parfum, Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Steareth-21, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Wool, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Steareth-2, Acrylic Acid/Vp Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Starch, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Tribehenin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Coumarin, Linalool, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 15985, CI 17200, CI 15510
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-75 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCeteth-20
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingCeteareth-20
CleansingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-75 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Squalane, Dimethicone, Ceteth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Steareth-20, Ceteareth-20, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Tocopherol, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 ButterCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water