What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientParaffin
Skin ConditioningPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningPhenylpropanol
MaskingPropanediol
SolventAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingEthylhexyl Palmitate, Paraffin, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Parfum, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Water, Phenylpropanol, Propanediol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, BHT, Amyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveLactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Tetracarboxymethyl Naringeninchalcone
Skin ConditioningOrnithine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLevulinic Acid
PerfumingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasivePhospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningP-Anisic Acid
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingWater, Pentylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycereth-26, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Tetrasodium Tetracarboxymethyl Naringeninchalcone, Ornithine, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Levulinic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Phospholipids, Glycolipids, P-Anisic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 16035, 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 ButterHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilParfum 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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 ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol 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