What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
Preservative
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Panthenol, Xylitylglucoside, Polysilicone-11, Stearic Acid, Anhydroxylitol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitol, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantPolyisobutene
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingWater, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Glycerin, Squalane, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Bakuchiol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysilicone-11, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phytosterols, Citric Acid, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenethyl Alcohol
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 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 TriglycerideCetyl 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 AcidDimethicone 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 GlycerinPolysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
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
