What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientIsomalt
HumectantPassiflora Incarnata Seed Oil
Skin ProtectingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentGold
Cosmetic ColorantPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientCarnosine
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantPhytol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTrehalose
HumectantSoy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysilicone-11
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-15
UV FilterSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBatyl Alcohol
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPolyisobutene
Alcohol
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Octyldodecanol, Isomalt, Passiflora Incarnata Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycoproteins, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Gold, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Beeswax, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Carnosine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Cysteine, Phytol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phospholipids, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Trehalose, Soy Isoflavones, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Tin Oxide, Propanediol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysilicone-11, Carbomer, Polysilicone-15, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Batyl Alcohol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polyisobutene, Alcohol, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Prunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhysalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningRose Extract
Skin ConditioningKrameria Triandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentRhodochrosite Extract
AntioxidantPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingMichelia Alba Leaf Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingCoriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalane, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Salix Alba Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract, Physalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Rose Extract, Krameria Triandra Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Oryza Sativa Extract, Rhodochrosite Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Ceteareth-20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, BHT, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Eugenol, Limonene
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 ButterCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimonenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl 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 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