What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Undecane
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Squalane
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Threonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
PCA
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tridecane
Perfuming
Xylityl Sesquicaprylate
Antimicrobial
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Undecane, Saccharide Isomerate, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, PEG-100 Stearate, Retinol, Tocopherol, Sodium Ascorbate, Panthenol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Arginine, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Threonine, Proline, Lysine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, PCA, Sodium PCA, Hydrolyzed Corallina Officinalis Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Lactate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tridecane, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside, Laureth-12, Betaine, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientIsopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Isostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Coco-Caprylate, Silica, Stearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, PEG-100 Stearate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Disodium EDTA, Caramel, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Hyaluronic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AP, Polysorbate 20, Cholesterol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide EOP
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 TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetearyl Glucoside is a sugar-based emulsifier. It is usually made by combining cetearyl alcohol and glucose.
Belonging to the aklyl polyglucoside (APG) family, Cetearyl Glucoside has a sugar "head" that loves water and a fatty "tail" that loves oil. This means it can shuffle oil and water into a stable and smooth emulsion.
Typical use levels are between 1-5% and this ingredient is considered to be non-irritating by the CIR Expert Panel Review.
Once applied, your skin's glucoside hydrolases breaks it down to the parent fatty alcohol and glucose. This is why this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl GlucosideEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateWater. 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
