What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Tribioma
Manganese Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Disodium EDTA
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Acetylated Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panthenol, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Trihydroxystearin, Zinc Gluconate, Madecassoside, Tribioma, Manganese Gluconate, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Copper Gluconate, Capryloyl Glycine, Citric Acid, Acetylated Glycol Stearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Methylpropanediol
SolventBetaine
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Beta-Sitosterol 0.5%
Emulsion Stabilising
Squalane
Emollient
Vinyldimethicone
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Water, Panthenol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Methylpropanediol, Betaine, Octyldodecanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Palmitic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Beta-Sitosterol 0.5%, Squalane, Vinyldimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Jojoba Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phytosterols, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Adenosine, Cetearyl Olivate, Citric Acid, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Sodium Phytate, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglycerin-3, Butylene Glycol, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Nonapeptide-1, Carnosine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Reviews
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 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
