What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glucosyl Ceramide
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Alpha-Glucan
HumectantResveratrol
Antioxidant
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSodium PCA
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C10-18 Triglycerides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Beta-Sitosterol, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Oleic Acid, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Glucosyl Ceramide, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Glycosphingolipids, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Alpha-Glucan, Resveratrol, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium PCA, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sorbitan Isostearate, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Quercetin, Astaxanthin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Dextrin, Palmitic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lactate, Stearic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 60, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Extract
Skin ProtectingSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract
Trehalose
Humectant
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Pantolactone
Humectant
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Silica
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Erythritol
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Water, Isoamyl Laurate, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Rubus Idaeus Extract, Sorbitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Bisabolol, Ceramide Ns, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract, Trehalose, Phytosterols, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Maltodextrin, Pantolactone, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Phytate, Alcohol, Erythritol, Octyldodecanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Myristyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum
Reviews
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 ButterCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
