What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Surfactant
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Erythritol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Honey Extract
Humectant
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Extract
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Root Extract
BleachingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTaraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Pelargonium Graveolens Extract
Masking
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Napus Extract
Skin ConditioningNarcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Chloride
MaskingBetaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Gluconate
ChelatingCitric Acid
Buffering
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Erythritol, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Honey Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Brassica Napus Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Chloride, Betaine, Allantoin, Panthenol, Arginine, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Coconut Acid, Sodium Isethionate, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide
Surfactant
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyquaternium-6
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingTapioca Starch
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide, Cocos Nucifera Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Polyquaternium-6, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Methyl Gluceth-10, Tapioca Starch, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Parfum
Reviews
Alternatives
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.
This ingredient shows up on a lot of "pore-clogging" lists but there's no real evidence behind that. It doesn't even have a comedogenic rating from an actual study; the numbers you'll find online come from blogs citing other blogs.
Ratings for other ingredients mostly come from a 1980s rabbit ear test. This test doesn't translate well to human skin or to real products because the ingredient sits at a much lower percentage.
Some people still find it breaks them out. So if that's you, definitely trust your skin. Just know this one's based on experience and not evidence.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideThis ingredient is also known as Macadamia Seed Oil. It's an emollient with a fatty acid profile that closely mirrors the skin's own lipid makeup.
The palmitoleic acid content is especially notable as it's somewhat rare in plant oils. Palmitoleic acid is something your skin already makes naturally. It helps keep cell membranes structured and plays a role in fighting off harmful microbes.
This palmitoleic content is also part of why macademia seed oil absorbs quickly and doesn't leave much of a greasy residue.
It also contains oleic acid, linoleic acid, and phytosterols that can help reduce redness.
In vitro research has shown the oil to have meaningful antioxidant activity, protect fats in the skin from oxidative damage, and slow down the enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid.
A 2024 clinical study found it effective at improving skin hydratino and reducing wrinkle appearance when formulated into nanoemulsions.
Because it carries oleic acid (C18) and palmitic acid (C16), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. This is because the Malassezia yeast metabolizes in the C11-24 chain length range.
You'll also see this ingredient listed as: Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil .
These two oils are identical in composition and M. ternifolia is an older INCI naming convention for the edible macadamia nut while M. integrifolia is the species actually cultivated for oil production. Both names refer to the same oil.
Learn more about Macadamia Ternifolia Seed OilParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
This ingredient hasn’t been shown in studies to feed fungal acne yeast.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateWater. 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
