What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPrunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Stearyl Heptanoate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrolyzed Hazelnut Protein
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Grape Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCera Alba
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMannitol
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingMalpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment
Skin ConditioningPectin
Emulsion StabilisingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Stearyl Heptanoate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Hazelnut Protein, Saccharomyces/Grape Ferment Extract, Cera Alba, Phenoxyethanol, Mannitol, Sodium Lactate, Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Phospholipids, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Pectin, Yeast Extract, Linalool, Geraniol, Potassium Sorbate, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Palmitate
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 ButterCetearyl 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 Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinParfum 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.
Sorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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