What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sucrose
Humectant
Algae Extract
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAhnfeltia Concinna Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Morus Nigra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Acetyl Carnitine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSodium Rna
Skin ConditioningCreatine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientCoenzyme A
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate
EmollientScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Sorbitol
Humectant
Simethicone
Emollient
Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sulfate
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Jojoba Esters, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Petrolatum, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sucrose, Algae Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Yeast Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Persea Gratissima Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Dimethicone, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glyceryl Stearate, Acetyl Carnitine Hcl, Sodium Rna, Creatine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Coenzyme A, PEG-100 Stearate, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, PEG-8, Sodium Hydroxide, Phospholipids, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sorbitol, Simethicone, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Cholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sulfate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Citral, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Amyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Citronellol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Creatine
Skin Conditioning1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Sulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methylpropanediol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Bakuchiol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Creatine, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 15985, CI 47005
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 ButterCaprylyl 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 GlycolWe don't have a description for Creatine yet.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
