What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tridecyl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Isodecyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
P-Anisic Acid
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Copper PCA
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
CI 40800
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butylene Glycol, Tridecyl Stearate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Isodecyl Salicylate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, P-Anisic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, Copper PCA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, CI 40800, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate
Skin ConditioningSiloxanetriol Alginate
Skin ConditioningC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Lactate
EmollientOctyldodecyl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Acetyl Citrull Amido Arginine
Skin ProtectingBetaine
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Palmitate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate, Siloxanetriol Alginate, C12-16 Alcohols, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Lactate, Octyldodecyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Palmitic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caffeine, Lecithin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Alcohol Denat., Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Sodium PCA, Acetyl Citrull Amido Arginine, Betaine, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 ButterDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCATocopheryl 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
