What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Triisostearin
Skin Conditioning
C15-19 Alkane
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Melatonin
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, C10-18 Triglycerides, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Triisostearin, C15-19 Alkane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Jojoba Esters, Sclerotium Gum, Parfum, Phospholipids, Melatonin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Lactobacillus Ferment, Citric Acid, Limonene, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Sucrose Polystearate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Viola Tricolor Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hectorite
AbsorbentAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingLactic Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Isoamyl Laurate, Squalane, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Sucrose Polystearate, Stearic Acid, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Viola Tricolor Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Alcohol, Hectorite, Acacia Senegal Gum, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Palmitic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Citral
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 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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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 LimoneneSodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an amino-acid based emulsifier. It is made by combining stearic acid with L-glutamic acid and neutralizing it to a sodium salt.
As an emulsifier, it works mainly as an oil-in-water one and helps keep the oil and water in your formulas blended. It also contributes to a smooth, non-greasy skin feel.
This ingredient is biodegradable and commonly available in natural/COSMOS-certified grades.
Learn more about Sodium Stearoyl GlutamateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
