What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Yucca Filamentosa Root Extract
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMenthone Glycerin Acetal
Refreshing
Menthol
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Leaf
RefreshingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Sinensis Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Parfum, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Coco-Caprylate, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Yucca Filamentosa Root Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Menthol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Leaf, Biotin, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Sinensis Peel Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Lactic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingGlycol Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Liquid Endosperm
Hydrolyzed Algin
Sea Water
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-7
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamide Mipa, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycol Stearate, Sodium Chloride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Arginine Hcl, Phosphatidylcholine, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera Liquid Endosperm, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sea Water, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Linalool, Limonene, Parfum, CI 42090, CI 60730, CI 19140
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 ButterCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
