What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientUndecane
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientStrelitzia Nicolai Seed Aril Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTridecane
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Phytate
Alcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantDictyopteris Polypodioides Extract
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGellan Gum
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRibose
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Jojoba Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Undecane, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Strelitzia Nicolai Seed Aril Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cellulose Gum, Tridecane, Tocopherol, Sodium Phytate, Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Dictyopteris Polypodioides Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Gellan Gum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Ribose, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantHieracium Pilosella Extract
MaskingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Coconut Alkanes, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Hieracium Pilosella Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 77891, CI 77491
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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin (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 BenzoateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum