What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Coco-Glucoside, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium PCA, Levulinic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Levulinate, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRuscus Aculeatus Root Extract
Astringent
Helianthus Annuus Petal Extract
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Petal Extract, Xanthan Gum
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 ButterHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilWater. 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
