What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingNepeta Cataria Extract
TonicRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBaptisia Tinctoria Root Extract
Skin ConditioningStellaria Media Extract
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Leaf Extract
AntioxidantEquisetum Arvense Leaf Extract
AstringentUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-150
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingSqualane
EmollientPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientMalachite Extract
AntioxidantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingTrisodium EDTA
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methyl Trimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Nepeta Cataria Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract, Stellaria Media Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Panthenol, PEG-150, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Squalane, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Dimethiconol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Polysorbate 60, Butylene Glycol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Malachite Extract, Triethylhexanoin, Trisodium EDTA, Arachidyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, PEG-100 Stearate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Babassuate
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingDextran
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningZinc Ricinoleate
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingGeranium Maculatum Oil
MaskingLavandula Hybrida Oil
EmollientPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingVetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
MaskingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingGlucosyl Ceramide
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Babassuate, Dibutyl Adipate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Dextran, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Zinc Ricinoleate, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Glucosyl Ceramide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Carbomer
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 TriglycerideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin (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 StearateMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil is the fixed oil obtained from Macadamia nut native to Australia. Due to its similarity with our skin's natural oils, macadamia oil absorbs easily without feeling greasy.
Macadamia seed oil is rich in fatty acids, including oleic acid (45-75%), palmitoleic acid (7-33%), and palmitic acid (6-12%). They also contain various B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.
Palmitoleic acid helps calm inflammation and supports wound healing while oleic acid helps hydrate the skin.
Due to the high amounts of palmitic and oleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. These are fatty acids that Malassezia yeast can feed on (C11-C24 chain length). If you're prone to fungal acne, this one's probably not for you.
You'll also see this ingredient listed as: Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil . This is the same ingredient; M. ternifolia is an older INCI naming convention for the edible macadamia nut, while M. integrifolia is the species actually cultivated for oil production. Both names refer to the same oil.
Learn more about Macadamia Ternifolia Seed OilStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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