What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Mangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer
Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Quinoa Protein
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingVaccinium Angustifolium Seed
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Propanediol, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer, Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Quinoa Protein, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Vaccinium Angustifolium Seed, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Dicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Croton Zambesicus Powder
Bacopa Monnieri Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Leaf Oil
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Beeswax, Isopropyl Myristate, Behenyl Alcohol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Polysorbate 20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Croton Zambesicus Powder, Bacopa Monnieri Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
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 AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRicinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.
Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
Besides hydrating the skin, castor oil is also used to hydrate hair. By keeping the hair shaft moisturized, breakage is decreased. More studies are needed to show castor oil's effective on stimulating hair growth.
Castor oil is created by cold-pressing castor seeds and then purifying the oil with heat. It was used in Ancient Egypt as fuel in lamps and to help treat eye irritation.
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 Ricinus Communis Seed OilTocopheryl 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 AcetateVitis Vinifera Seed Oil comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.
The components of grape seeds have many skin benefits. Research has found it to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Proanthocyanidin has been shown to help even out skin tone.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. Grape seed extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
The antimicrobial properties of grape seed may help treat acne. However, more research is needed to support this claim.
Grape seed has also been found to help absorb UV rays. Grape seed extract should not replace your sunscreen.
The fatty acids of grape seed oil give it emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin by creating a film. This film traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Seed OilWater. 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
