What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBrassica Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Esters
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningRice Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLactobacillus/Tomato Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSaccharina Longicruris Extract
HumectantAcyl Coenzyme A Desaturase
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingIsododecane
EmollientAcanthus Mollis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Brassica Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Esters, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Palmitate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil, Rice Amino Acids, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lactobacillus/Tomato Fruit Ferment Extract, Keratin Amino Acids, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Saccharina Longicruris Extract, Acyl Coenzyme A Desaturase, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Arginine, Isododecane, Acanthus Mollis Leaf Extract, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Brassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDistearyldimonium Chloride
Glycerin
HumectantHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Heptyl Undecylenate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Panthenol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol
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 ButterCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
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 Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilThis ingredient is also known as grapefruit peel oil. It is mainly used as a fragrance/perfuming ingredient and is made up of about 99-92% limonene.
Though in vitro or food science has shown this oil to be antibacterial, possess antioxidant activity, and be anti-inflammatory, there's very little research testing it directly on human skin or in cosmetics.
Limonene is a known skin sensitizer. Because grapefruit peel oil can contain furanocoumarins, this ingredient can also cause phototoxicity. It is possible to created furanocoumarin-free versions that are not phototoxic; it is best to reach out to the brand if you have questions about this ingredient in your cosmetics.
Learn more about Citrus Paradisi Peel OilGlycerin (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 PanthenolPotassium 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 SorbateStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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