What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid
MaskingAcrylates Copolymer
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantGlycol Distearate
EmollientGlycolic Acid
BufferingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingKaolin
AbrasiveLaureth-4
EmulsifyingLauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide
EmollientMannitol
HumectantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentOlive Oil PEG-8 Esters
EmollientParaffin
PerfumingPolyquaternium-39
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Sulfate
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantUltramarines
Water
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid, Acrylates Copolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Betaine, Coconut Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Glycolic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Kaolin, Laureth-4, Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide, Mannitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Olive Oil PEG-8 Esters, Paraffin, Polyquaternium-39, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Silica, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Sulfate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ultramarines, Water
Sucrose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingCocos Nucifera Shell Powder
AbrasiveMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
PreservativeCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSucrose, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Silica, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Cocos Nucifera Shell Powder, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Water, Sorbic Acid, CI 14700, CI 19140, CI 42090, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
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 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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil comes from the sweet almond, a tree native to Iran. This oil has no fragrance and is non-volatile.
Almonds contain healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. It is a rich source of Vitamin E, a great antioxidant and skin conditioning ingredient. Sweet almond oil contains fatty acids such as linolenic acid and triglycerides.
The content of sweet almond oil makes it a great emollient; it can help soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a barrier over your skin to trap moisture in. Sweet almond oil has antioxidant properties.
Those with an almond allergy should be careful of this ingredient and speak with a professional about using it in your skincare.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis OilRetinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl PalmitateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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