What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOctyldodecanol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSqualane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingBakuchiol
AntimicrobialPullulan
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Extract
MaskingTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingGleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract
Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Alcohol
AntimicrobialHydrated Silica
AbrasiveSodium Nitrate
SoothingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sorbitan Olivate, Bakuchiol, Pullulan, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Rosa Damascena Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Gleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Alcohol, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Nitrate, Disodium Phosphate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8 Beeswax
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentFructose
HumectantJojoba Esters
EmollientSodium Phytate
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingMethylpropanediol
SolventAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingPolysilicone-11
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingPtychopetalum Olacoides Bark/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPfaffia Paniculata Root Extract
SoothingLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycolic Acid
BufferingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silica
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingTagetes Erecta Flower Extract
PerfumingTriethyl Citrate
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingBenzoic Acid
MaskingLecithin
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, PEG-8 Beeswax, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Dimethicone, C10-18 Triglycerides, Glycerin, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Boron Nitride, Fructose, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Phytate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Methylpropanediol, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Polysilicone-11, Caprylyl Glycol, Caffeine, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Ptychopetalum Olacoides Bark/Stem Extract, Pfaffia Paniculata Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Glycolic Acid, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Tagetes Erecta Flower Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Benzoic Acid, Lecithin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Linalool, Limonene
Reviews
Alternatives
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 ButterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 GlycerinPyrus Malus Fruit Extract is extract from Apples. Apples are rich in Vitamin C, sugars, and antioxidants.
The sugar in Apples are humectants and help hydrate the skin. On top of that, apples also contain some acids, such as malic acid. These acids may have a mild exfoliating effect.
Last, the phytochemicals found in apples are strong antioxidants. These antioxidants help with anti-aging as they protect your skin cells against oxidative damage.
Learn more about Pyrus Malus Fruit ExtractSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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