What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
PEG-30 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Betaine
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Sorbitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Methyl Gluceth-10, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, PEG-30 Phytosterol, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide Ng, Isopentyldiol, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bisabolol, Betaine, Trehalose, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Squalane, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Decylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
C15-19 Alkane
SolventGlycine
Buffering
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Isohexadecane
EmollientSodium PCA
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Alanine
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Benzoic Acid
Masking
PEG-100 Stearate
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Water, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Isopropyl Palmitate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol, C15-19 Alkane, Glycine, Stearic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sorbitan Tristearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Isohexadecane, Sodium PCA, Serine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Myristic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Palmitic Acid, Alanine, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phytosphingosine, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 80, Benzoic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerThis 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 ButterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 StearatePhytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin as a building block for ceramides.. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine contributes to your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Fun fact: Phytosphingosine is abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
Learn more about PhytosphingosineSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
