What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningRhodochrosite Extract
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
BufferingAmodimethicone
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveSorbic Acid
PreservativeCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Betaine, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Rose Extract, Rhodochrosite Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Adenosine, Carbomer, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891, Citric Acid, Amodimethicone, CI 77491, CI 14700, Tin Oxide, Sorbic Acid, CI 19140, Benzophenone-4, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantShorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
MaskingCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Isostearate
CleansingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingTetrapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Diglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octyldodecanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Retinyl Palmitate, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Adenosine, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Isostearate, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Tetrapeptide-4, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Tocopherol, CI 14700
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 CrosspolymerAdenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineThis 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 ButterThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCi 14700, also known as Red No. 4, is a synthetic red dye derived from petroleum. It is water soluble.
Glycerin (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 ParfumSodium 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 HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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