What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningTuber Melanosporum Extract
HumectantTuber Aestivum Extract
Skin ProtectingPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Vinyldimethicone
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Trideceth-10
CleansingDextrin
AbsorbentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Tromethamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Tuber Melanosporum Extract, Tuber Aestivum Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucose, Adenosine, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Glycereth-26, Cetearyl Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Stearate, Vinyldimethicone, Carbomer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Trideceth-10, Dextrin, Maltodextrin, Tromethamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, C14-22 Alcohols, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Tephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
Abrasive
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningColocasia Esculenta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Tephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Colocasia Esculenta Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tocopherol, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Isohexadecane, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysorbate 80, PEG-100 Stearate, Mica, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate is an emollient that helps make your skin smooth and hydrated. It specializes in creating a non-oily and "wet" feeling on skin.
This ingredient comes from isostearic acid, a saturated fatty acid. It is a synthetic ingredient.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract comes from the Theobroma cacoa, or Cacao tree. Cacao trees are native to tropical landscapes.
Cacao seed extract contains antioxidants known as polyphenols.
Water. 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
