What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Zea Mays Starch, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Mica, CI 14700, CI 77891, CI 19140, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC15-19 Alkane
SolventPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Stearyl Phosphate
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGamma-Decalactone
Perfuming
Gamma-Nonalactone
Masking
Vanillin
Masking
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLauryl Glucoside
CleansingLimonene
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C15-19 Alkane, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil, Stearyl Phosphate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Gamma-Decalactone, Gamma-Nonalactone, Vanillin, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol
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 ButterCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
