What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Erythritol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingEugenol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Paradisi Seed Oil
Perfuming
Mangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Honey Extract
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cetyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Myristyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Erythritol, Squalane, Lauryl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Alcohol, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Eugenol, Linalool, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citral, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Citrus Paradisi Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil, Honey Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Limonene, Linalool
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 ButterDisodium 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 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 StearateLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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
