What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Algae Extract
EmollientPetrolatum
Emollient
Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Steareth-10
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Polysilicone-11
Sesamum 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 ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Glucose Oxidase
StabilisingTrehalose
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Lactoperoxidase
StabilisingHydrolyzed Algin
Glyceryl Dilaurate
Emollient
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Steareth-21
CleansingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Glucose
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Algae Extract, Petrolatum, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Esters, Phenyl Trimethicone, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cholesterol, Steareth-10, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Polysilicone-11, 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, Water, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Maris Sal, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Plankton Extract, Caffeine, Glucose Oxidase, Trehalose, Sucrose, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Lactoperoxidase, Hydrolyzed Algin, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Isohexadecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Steareth-21, Polyquaternium-51, Saccharide Isomerate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium PCA, Urea, Glucose, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Parfum, Lecithin, BHT, Linalool, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Geraniol, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dextran
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Alanyl Glutamine
HumectantArginine
Masking
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Lysine
Skin ConditioningOleic Acid
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Phenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel Forming
Betula Alba Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Oligopeptide-177
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Sodium Carbomer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Lecithin, Cholesterol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ceramide NP, Glycine Soja Protein, Superoxide Dismutase, Citric Acid, Dextran, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Ceramide Ng, Glycine, Lysine, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Phenylalanine, Proline, Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Betula Alba Oil, Disodium EDTA, Oligopeptide-177, Sodium Ascorbate, Tocopherol
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 ButterThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCholesterol is a lipid that is naturally found in human skin and is one of the three key components of your skin barrier. In skincare, it is an emollient and barrier-repairing ingredient.
It works by fitting directly into the lipid layers of skin to help restore structure and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This is a great ingredient for dry, compromised, or aging skin; our skin starts to produce less cholesterol with age.
Research shows cholesterol works best in combination with ceramides and fatty acids, the other two major components in your skin barrier.
Cholesterol is also a well-establish penetration enhancer and can help other actives absorb more effectively.
Cosmetic-grade cholesterol is usually derived from lanolin but plant and synthetic options also exist. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about their source of cholesterol.
Learn more about CholesterolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl 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
