What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentFragaria Ananassa Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Coumarin
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Fragaria Ananassa Seed Oil, Parfum, Polysilicone-15, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Mica, Panthenol, Titanium Dioxide, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Coumarin, Linalool, Limonene, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientPropanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
PEG-8 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyquaternium-11
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
C32-36 Isoalkyl Stearate
EmollientStearyl Behenate
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, PEG-8 Beeswax, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Steareth-21, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyquaternium-11, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polysilicone-15, C32-36 Isoalkyl Stearate, Stearyl Behenate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, BHT, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, 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 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate yet.
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Linalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysilicone-15 is a chemical UV filter that absorbs UV-B rays.
It is a photostable ingredient used to boost SPF factor and protect products from UV-induced deterioration.
This ingredient is not water-soluble.
Learn more about Polysilicone-15Propanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
