What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycine Soja Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Retinol, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Ceramide NP, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tridecyl Stearate
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tricaprylin
Perfuming
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Olivate, Tridecyl Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Allantoin, Retinol, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Phytosterols, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tricaprylin, Sodium PCA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silica Silylate, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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 ButterEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate can also help other preservatives be more effective.
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
