What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
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Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil
Emollient
Tricaprylin
Perfuming
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Stearyl Behenate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventSodium Citrate
BufferingPhytic Acid
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil, Tricaprylin, C10-18 Triglycerides, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearyl Behenate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Water, Jojoba Esters, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Tocopherol, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Glycerin, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Silica Silylate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Sodium Citrate, Phytic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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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 ButterGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
