What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentParfum
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sesamum Indicum Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningMimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMannitol
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Diatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingZinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Lauryl Laurate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Starch, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Chlorphenesin, Sesamum Indicum Oil Unsaponifiables, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables, Persea Gratissima Oil, Phytosterols, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Citronellol, Linalool, Collagen Amino Acids, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Mannitol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Oleate, Geraniol, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Diatomaceous Earth, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Hydroxide, Zinc Sulfate, Hexapeptide-9
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides
EmollientGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Dilaurate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Acetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tyrosinamide
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Steareth-10
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ceteareth-20
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventIsoceteth-10
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Isohexadecane, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides, Glycolic Acid, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Acetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide, Acetyl Tyrosinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Steareth-10, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isostearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sclerotium Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-40 Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Ceteareth-20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Isoceteth-10, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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 ButterChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate Se is a self-emulsifying (SE) form of glyceryl stearate. Self-emusifying means this ingredient automatically blends with water. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and cleansing agent.
As an emulsifier, Glyceryl Stearate Se prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant, meaning it helps cleanse the skin. Surfactants help gather oil, dirt, and other pollutants so they may be rinsed away easily.
Emollients help your skin stay smooth and soft. It does so by creating a film on top of the skin that helps trap moisture in.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate SeParfum 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl 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
