What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycol Stearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Histidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Threonine
Valine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningGlycine
Buffering
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Taurine
BufferingAcetyl Zingerone
Antioxidant
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Teprenone
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Folic Acid/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Boron Nitride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycol Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Glutamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lysine Hcl, Alanine, Histidine Hcl, Arginine, Serine, Proline, Glutamic Acid, Threonine, Valine, Leucine, Glycine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Taurine, Acetyl Zingerone, Bakuchiol, Retinal, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Allantoin, Teprenone, Bacillus/Folic Acid/Soybean Ferment Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Cellulose, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Phytosteryl Oleate
Skin ConditioningC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Water
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Olivate
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceteareth-25
CleansingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Water, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Phytosteryl Oleate, C12-16 Alcohols, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Maltodextrin, Carnosine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceramide NP, Linoleic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Palmitic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Collagen Amino Acids, Micrococcus Lysate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Oligopeptide-1, Sorbitan Olivate, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Polyglutamate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phytosterols, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Lecithin, Cholesterol, Ceteareth-25, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenic Acid, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Oleate
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 ButterCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
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.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinThis long ingredient is a copolymer of sodium acrylate and sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers.
It is used to help stabilize other ingredients and create a thicker gel-like texture.
Emulsifiers prevent oils and waters from separating.
Learn more about Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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 Water
