What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Capillaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Morus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract
Skin ConditioningCordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Vigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Angelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Asparagus Cochinchinensis Extract
Skin ProtectingGanoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Prunus Mume Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Nelumbo Nucifera Extract
Skin ConditioningCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Benzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantRaspberry Ketone
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Methylpropanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Flower Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Adenosine, Sorbitan Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Carbomer, Arginine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 20, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Raspberry Ketone, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Isohexadecane
EmollientZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-20 Stearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arginine PCA
HumectantSerine
Masking
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Alumina
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Toluene Sulfonic Acid
SurfactantPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBHT
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Panthenol, Silica, Isohexadecane, Zea Mays Starch, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Beeswax, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-20 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Tin Oxide, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sorbitan Oleate, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine PCA, Serine, Myristic Acid, Alumina, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Citric Acid, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Toluene Sulfonic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, BHT, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, Mica
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 ButterDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
