What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingMethylpropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
HumectantWine Extract
AntioxidantCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingArachidic Acid
CleansingPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantCimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
AntimicrobialSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentOleic Acid
EmollientSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Methylpropanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Palmitic Acid, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, Arginine, Carbomer, Betaine, Wine Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Myristic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Oleic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventSqualane
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Squalane, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 60, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Calcium Gluconate
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 ButterDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideWater. 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