What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Vitis Vinifera
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tilia Cordata Extract
RefreshingCoenochloris Signiensis Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Leaf Oil
Masking
Olibanum
MaskingCommiphora Myrrha Oil
Masking
Vitis Vinifera, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Cetearyl Glucoside, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbitan Stearate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Tilia Cordata Extract, Coenochloris Signiensis Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Cananga Odorata Leaf Oil, Olibanum, Commiphora Myrrha Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Behenate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Phenyl Methicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingGlyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
Emollient
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Meadowfoam Estolide
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Aleuritic Acid
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlucose
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingEruca Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberButeth-3
SolventTributyl Citrate
SolventHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Retinyl Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Polylactic Acid
Abrasive
Canola Oil
Emollient
Cholesteryl Nonanoate
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Steareth-20
CleansingN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Cholesteryl Isostearate
EmollientCholesteryl Chloride
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantMagnolia Acuminata Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningLithospermum Officinale Extract
MaskingAgaricus Bisporus Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Stearyl Behenate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyethylene, PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone, Phenyl Methicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearyl Stearate, PEG-150 Distearate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Glycosphingolipids, Ceramide AP, Meadowfoam Estolide, Glycine Soja Sterols, Cetearyl Glucoside, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyquaternium-51, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Aleuritic Acid, Yeast Extract, Glycoproteins, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Carbomer, Glucose, Tromethamine, Eruca Sativa Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Buteth-3, Tributyl Citrate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ethylhexylglycerin, Niacinamide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Retinyl Retinoate, Polylactic Acid, Canola Oil, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Steareth-20, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Beta-Glucan, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Caprylyl Glycol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cholesteryl Isostearate, Cholesteryl Chloride, BHT, Silica, Dipropylene Glycol, Magnolia Acuminata Bark Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Lithospermum Officinale Extract, Agaricus Bisporus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Zinc PCA, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 42090, CI 19140
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 AlcoholCetearyl Glucoside is a sugar-based emulsifier. It is usually made by combining cetearyl alcohol and glucose.
Belonging to the aklyl polyglucoside (APG) family, Cetearyl Glucoside has a sugar "head" that loves water and a fatty "tail" that loves oil. This means it can shuffle oil and water into a stable and smooth emulsion.
Typical use levels are between 1-5% and this ingredient is considered to be non-irritating by the CIR Expert Panel Review.
Once applied, your skin's glucoside hydrolases breaks it down to the parent fatty alcohol and glucose. This is why this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl GlucosideGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
