What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Ricinoleate
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientNarcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
AstringentPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningTuber Melanosporum Extract
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPearl Powder
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientArtemia Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingMolasses Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasiveDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantErgothioneine
AntioxidantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin
AbsorbentSqualane
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGold
Cosmetic ColorantC20-40 Pareth-10
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-11
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSteareth-20
CleansingSucrose
HumectantSteareth-10
EmulsifyingLauryl PCA
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sorbitol
HumectantMagnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Stearic Acid
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cera Microcristallina, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Methyl Trimethicone, Isohexadecane, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Tuber Melanosporum Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Algae Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Pearl Powder, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Artemia Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Molasses Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Ergothioneine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dextrin, Squalane, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caffeine, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Gold, C20-40 Pareth-10, Polysilicone-11, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Steareth-20, Sucrose, Steareth-10, Lauryl PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sorbitol, Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSteareth-21
CleansingDiglycerin
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantAframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Surfactin
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Dimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientCocoglycerides
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlucose
HumectantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Niacinamide, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Steareth-21, Diglycerin, Polyglycerin-3, Aframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Sodium Surfactin, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Xylitol, Trehalose, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Palmitate, Cocoglycerides, Sodium Hydroxide, Glucose, CI 14700, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 ButterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 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 StearateWater. 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