What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Octyldodecanol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSucrose Stearate
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sucrose Stearate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Phospholipids, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-1
EmollientAcetylated Glycol Stearate
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Gelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientAlgae Extract
EmollientLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSqualane
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrehalose
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLaureth-9
EmulsifyingLaureth-23
CleansingSilica
AbrasiveSilica Silylate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-1, Acetylated Glycol Stearate, Myristyl Myristate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Algae Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trehalose, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Pentylene Glycol, Laureth-9, Laureth-23, Silica, Silica Silylate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, CI 14700, CI 19140
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 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 ButterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Dimethicone 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
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 Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSqualane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan?
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Is squalane an oil?
Squalane is often called an oil, but it’s technically not; it’s a hydrocarbon, meaning it’s only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated, so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
While some people avoid oils thinking they cause breakouts, the right kind of oil (or oil-like ingredient like squalane) can actually help balance and hydrate your skin. It’s worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.
Learn more about SqualaneTocopheryl 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