What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Xylitylglucoside
HumectantBetaine
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbitol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSteareth-20
CleansingAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningWater, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Squalane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides, Octyldodecanol, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Xylitylglucoside, Betaine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polysorbate 60, Trehalose, Anhydroxylitol, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitol, Panthenol, Xylitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Xanthan Gum, Steareth-20, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Disodium EDTA, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Glucose, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Pantolactone, Potassium Sorbate, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-8 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientAcacia Decurrens/Jojoba/Sunflower Seed Wax/Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningEthoxydiglycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sericin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-75 Stearate
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTribehenin
EmollientCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol
CleansingElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Acacia Decurrens/Jojoba/Sunflower Seed Wax/Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethoxydiglycol, Squalane, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Panthenol, Ectoin, Phospholipids, Hydrolyzed Sericin, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Ceramide Ng, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-75 Stearate, Benzyl Alcohol, Tribehenin, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Butylene Glycol, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid
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 ButterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 StearatePanthenol 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 PanthenolSqualane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, itâs technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term âoil-freeâ isnât regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about SqualaneSteareth-20 is an emulsifier and solubilizer. It is created from stearyl alcohol with ~20 units of ethylene oxide to give it a strong preference for water.
As an emulsifier, it helps oil-in-water emulsions like lotions, creams, and cleansers stay stable. It also solubilizes small amounts of oil-loving ingredients (like fragrance) into water-based formulas.
You'll likely find this ingredient with steareth-2 (it's oil-loving sister) where the two work together to give products a cushiony feel.
Typical use levels sit at around 1-5% and this ingredient has been found to be non-irritating by the CIR Expert Panel.
Learn more about Steareth-20Water. 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