What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylate-13
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Pentaisononanoate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolyisobutene
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycolic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate-13, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Dipentaerythrityl Pentaisononanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Hyaluronic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polyisobutene, Arachidyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Maltobionic Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientArginine
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ammonium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Juice
AstringentRosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingEthylene Brassylate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
PEG-75 Stearate
Surfactant
Steareth-20
CleansingCeteth-20
CleansingTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycolic Acid, Maltobionic Acid, Gluconolactone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Arginine, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Ammonium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tocopheryl Acetate, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Juice, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Ethylene Brassylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, PEG-75 Stearate, Steareth-20, Ceteth-20, Triethyl Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Bisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Caramel, CI 19140
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 ButterGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 StearateGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoatePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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
