What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientLauryl Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBentonite
Absorbent
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPullulan
Oryza Sativa Hull Powder
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Water, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Glycerin, Propanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Octyldodecanol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Lauryl Laurate, Pentylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Xanthan Gum, Bentonite, Parfum, Sodium Levulinate, Sclerotium Gum, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Lysolecithin, Lactic Acid, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Pullulan, Oryza Sativa Hull Powder, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Decyl Oleate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Pentaricinoleate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Decyl Oleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Pentaricinoleate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Levulinic Acid, Trihydroxystearin, Zinc PCA, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate, Ceramide NP, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum
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 ButterCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier.
Due to its thick oil / waxy texture, it has emollient properties. Emollients help hydrate skin by creating a thin film. This film prevents moisture from escaping.
Glyceryl Undecylenate is created from glycerin and undecylenic acid.
Undecylenic Acid is a fungal treatment, but is not as effective as newer medications.
Some people who have sensitive skin may find this ingredient to trigger Malassezia folliculitis, but not everyone will react to it.
Learn more about Glyceryl UndecylenateHydrogenated Castor Oil is created by adding hydrogen to castor oil. This helps stabilize the castor oil and raises the melting point. At room temperature, hydrogenated castor oil is solid.
Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
As a wax-like substance, Hydrogenated Castor Oil acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin stay soft and smooth by creating a barrier. This barrier helps trap moisture.
Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Castor OilPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium 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 BenzoateSodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. Oncedissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical. It is usually derived from renewable plant sources like corn starch or sugarcane.
In skincare, it mostly acts as a skin conditioning agent that keeps skin soft and hydrated. It also acts as a preservative booster by inhibiting the growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria.
It's often paired with Sodium Anisate as the two create a broad-spectrum preservative system that is popular in "natural" formulations.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be non-irritated and there are no restrictions for use in EU cosmetics. The FDA also allows this ingredient to be used as a food-grade flavoring agent.
Learn more about Sodium LevulinateTocopherol 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
