What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsocetyl Stearate
EmollientVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPerfluorodecalin
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylpropanediol
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCera Alba
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientCocoglycerides
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPolyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Poloxamer 188
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialWater, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Isocetyl Stearate, Vegetable Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Perfluorodecalin, Ceteareth-20, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylpropanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cera Alba, Cetyl Palmitate, Cocoglycerides, Carbomer, Glycine Soja Extract, Parfum, Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Poloxamer 188, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Anisate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingIsocetyl Stearate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSucrose Tristearate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientPolysorbate 61
EmulsifyingCera Alba
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingMethylparaben
PreservativeCoriandrum Sativum Oil
MaskingArginine PCA
HumectantCholesterol
Emollient2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientButylparaben
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Isocetyl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sucrose Tristearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Petrolatum, Polysorbate 61, Cera Alba, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, Coriandrum Sativum Oil, Arginine PCA, Cholesterol, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Butylparaben, Parfum
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 ButterCarbomer 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 CarbomerCera alba is beeswax, or the wax used by bees to make honeycombs. It is a texture-enhancer and emollient. A study from 2003 found beeswax to be a stronger emollient than ingredients such as petroleum jelly.
As an emollient, beeswax helps hydrate the skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in.
Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating. This helps create consistent texture.
The structure of beeswax is mainly long-chain alcohols and the esters of fatty acids.
There are three types of beeswax: yellow, white, and absolute. Yellow is pure beeswax taken from the honeycomb. White beeswax is created by filtering or bleaching yellow beeswax. Absolute beeswax is created by treating beeswax with alcohol. Beeswax used in cosmetics are purified.
Beeswax has been used throughout history and even in prehistoric times. Some common uses for beeswax still used today are making candles, as a waterproofing agent, and polish for leather.
Learn more about Cera AlbaDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsocetyl Stearate is an ester of isocetyl alcohol and stearic acid.
Stearate esters are low in viscosity and are oily by nature. Once applied, these stearate esters create a film on your skin. As an emollient, Isocetyl Stearate helps soften and smooth your skin.
One study found Isocetyl Stearate is non-irritating to human skin. However, another study found Isocetyl Stearate to be pore-clogging or comedogenic.
Learn more about Isocetyl StearateParfum 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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