What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Algin
Sea Water
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingAminopropyl Dimethicone
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Stearyl Dihydroxypropyldimonium Oligosaccharides
PEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Steartrimonium Chloride
Preservative
PEG-6 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
CI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Oleate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Arginine Hcl, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sea Water, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Phosphatidylcholine, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Glutamic Acid, Stearyl Dihydroxypropyldimonium Oligosaccharides, PEG-90m, Octyldodecanol, Steartrimonium Chloride, PEG-6 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, PEG-4 Laurate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Citric Acid, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, CI 15510, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Cera Alba
Emollient
Lanolin
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantCitrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingParfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Curcuma Longa Root Powder
Skin ConditioningAnise Alcohol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycerin, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cera Alba, Lanolin, Betaine, Polysorbate 60, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Carbomer, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Curcuma Longa Root Powder, Anise Alcohol, Coumarin, Limonene
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 ButterGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Vegetable Oil is created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to give it more stability. This process also raises the melting point of vegetable oil. In cosmetics, it is an emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
The term "Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil" is an umbrella term and can refer to a variety of vegetable oils and blends of: sunflower oil, soybean oil, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and more.
Due to the differences in vegetables, the benefits may vary.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Vegetable OilLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneParfum 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.
Jojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilWater. 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
