What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSucrose Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Nylon-12
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSecale Cereale Seed Extract
Abrasive
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
Abrasive
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sucrose Stearate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Nylon-12, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Caffeine, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77891, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Dimethiconol, Tocopherol, Mica, Myristic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Adenosine, Glycine Soja Protein, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide, Acer Saccharum Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Nylon 6/12
AbsorbentOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Beheneth-25
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingUrea
Buffering
Trehalose
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoumarin
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citronellol
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Adansonia Digitata Pulp Extract
EmollientDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPullulan
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Algin
Masking
Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Nylon 6/12, Octyldodecanol, Polyacrylamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Beheneth-25, Hydroxyacetophenone, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-7, Urea, Trehalose, Caffeine, Hydrolyzed Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract, Xanthan Gum, Coumarin, Benzyl Salicylate, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Adansonia Digitata Pulp Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Pullulan, Caprylyl Glycol, Algin
Reviews
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 ButterCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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
