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
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Hexyldecyl Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningGlycosphingolipids
EmollientLecithin
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycerin, Hexyldecyl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycolipids, Glycosphingolipids, Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol
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 ButterCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidWater. 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
