What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cera Alba
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Viola Tricolor Extract
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cera Alba, Sodium Benzoate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Silica, Viola Tricolor Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panicum Miliaceum Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tannic Acid
AstringentEugenol
Perfuming
Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Dibutyl Adipate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Polyisobutene, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Benzoic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Anisate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panicum Miliaceum Extract, Linalool, Limonene, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Alcohol Denat., Benzyl Alcohol, Ubiquinone, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Citronellol, Tocopherol, Tannic Acid, Eugenol, Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerThis 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 ButterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HydroxideTocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
