What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingVitreoscilla Ferment
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Ceramide NP, Carbomer, Zinc Gluconate, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Cholesterol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Menthoxypropanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 19140, CI 42090, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientArginine
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTridecane
PerfumingMel Extract
MoisturisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCera Alba
EmollientCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
MaskingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBulnesia Sarmientoi Wood Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialFarnesol
PerfumingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Undecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arginine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tridecane, Mel Extract, Mica, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Cera Alba, Capryloyl Glycine, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycine Soja Oil, Adenosine, Caramel, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Bulnesia Sarmientoi Wood Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Farnesol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
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 GlycerinGlycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.
Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.
Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 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