What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Juice
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Juice
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCitrus Limon Juice
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingCinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil
MaskingIsomalt
HumectantLecithin
EmollientEthyl Linalool
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Pyrus Malus Juice, Vitis Vinifera Juice, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Citrus Limon Juice, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil, Isomalt, Lecithin, Ethyl Linalool, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingLysine Lauroyl Methionate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeGlycine
BufferingWater, Algae Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Tocopherol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Lysine Lauroyl Methionate, Xanthan Gum, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Glycine
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 ButterPotassium 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 SorbateJojoba 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.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilTocopherol 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 TocopherolXanthan 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