What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Cetyl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientTetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Hydrolyzed Algin
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Cetyl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, Hydrolyzed Algin, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Stearic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPiroctone Olamine
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Distarch Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Maltodextrin, Dimethicone, Sodium Carbomer, Trisodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Piroctone Olamine, Phenoxyethanol
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 ButterCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexyl Cocoate is created from 2-ethylhexanol and Coconut Acid. Coconut Acid is created from the fatty acids derived from Coconut Oil.
As an emollient, Ethylhexyl Cocoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a thin film on top of skin that traps moisture in.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl 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
