What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPetrolatum
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingCera Alba
EmollientHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAdenosine
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Zea Mays Starch, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Alcohol Denat., Petrolatum, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Cera Alba, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, CI 14700, CI 19140, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Adenosine, Stearyl Alcohol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Poloxamer 338, Dimethiconol, Limonene, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Sorbitan Tristearate, Myristyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Cera Alba
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveTuber Aestivum Extract
Skin ProtectingTin Oxide
AbrasiveC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientPEG-20 Stearate
EmulsifyingSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin ConditioningTuber Melanosporum Extract
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingDimethiconol
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingMyristic Acid
CleansingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentVigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Disodium Succinate
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCitric Acid
BufferingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Oxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylamide
Octyldodecanol
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Salicylate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Paraffinum Liquidum, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Cera Alba, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Tuber Aestivum Extract, Tin Oxide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, PEG-20 Stearate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Tuber Melanosporum Extract, Triethanolamine, Dimethiconol, Caffeine, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Myristic Acid, Cyclodextrin, Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract, Mannitol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Succinate, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Laureth-7, Lauroyl Lysine, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Oxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid, Biotin, Faex Extract, Polyacrylamide, Octyldodecanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Salicylate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 16035, CI 19140, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCera alba is beeswax, or the wax used by bees to make honeycombs. It is a texture-enhancer and emollient. A study from 2003 found beeswax to be a stronger emollient than ingredients such as petroleum jelly.
As an emollient, beeswax helps hydrate the skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in.
Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating. This helps create consistent texture.
The structure of beeswax is mainly long-chain alcohols and the esters of fatty acids.
There are three types of beeswax: yellow, white, and absolute. Yellow is pure beeswax taken from the honeycomb. White beeswax is created by filtering or bleaching yellow beeswax. Absolute beeswax is created by treating beeswax with alcohol. Beeswax used in cosmetics are purified.
Beeswax has been used throughout history and even in prehistoric times. Some common uses for beeswax still used today are making candles, as a waterproofing agent, and polish for leather.
Learn more about Cera AlbaCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
This ingredient is the oil from the apricot.
Apricot Kernel Oil is an emollient and helps soften skin. This is due to its fatty acid components. Some of these fatty acids include linoleic and oleic acid.
This ingredient also has antioxidant properties from Vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Besides being antioxidants, these vitamins provide plenty of skin benefits as well.
Learn more about Prunus Armeniaca Kernel OilThis combination of bacteria + black tea + fermentation = kombucha.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps boost radiance, smoothness, and thickens skin.
You can read about the skin benefits of the individual parts here:
Saccharomyces
Black tea
Sodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water