What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, Parfum, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sphingolipids, Water, Ceramide NP, Lactic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientIsostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pine Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helichrysum Arenarium Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Vanillin
Masking
Tribehenin
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sucrose Palmitate
EmollientGlyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Glyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Water, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Sorbitan Olivate, Squalane, Jojoba Esters, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Palmitoyl Pine Bark Extract, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Unsaponifiables, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Vanillin, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sucrose Palmitate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glycerin
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 ButterEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateGlycerin (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 GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateWater. 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
