What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMyristyl Myristate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantIsohexadecane
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantUrea
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientMaltose
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingProline
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlucose
HumectantWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Myristyl Myristate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isohexadecane, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Polysorbate 80, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Fructose, Urea, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Maltose, Sodium PCA, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lactate, Trehalose, Allantoin, Glycine, Proline, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucose
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDi-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSteareth-2
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSteareth-21
CleansingPunica Granatum Sterols
Skin ConditioningSwertia Chirata Extract
HumectantNarcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
AstringentLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentErgothioneine
AntioxidantArtemia Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantFuscoporia Obliqua Sclerotium Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingCordyceps Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPearl Powder
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientAlgae Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDecarboxy Carnosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlucose
HumectantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Isohexadecane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Citric Acid
BufferingCellulose
AbsorbentParfum
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantSodium Sulfite
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Methyl Trimethicone, Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Steareth-2, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Steareth-21, Punica Granatum Sterols, Swertia Chirata Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ergothioneine, Artemia Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Fuscoporia Obliqua Sclerotium Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Glycine Soja Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Cholesterol, Caffeine, Linoleic Acid, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Lactis Proteinum, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Pearl Powder, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Algae Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Gold, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Caprylyl Glycol, Glucose, Yeast Extract, Polysilicone-11, Isohexadecane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Polysorbate 80, Lecithin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Citric Acid, Cellulose, Parfum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Metabisulfite, BHT, Sodium Sulfite, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 17200
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 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 ButterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlucose is a simple sugar and is the most important source of energy in all organisms.
In skincare, glucose is used to hydrate the skin. It also acts as a prebiotic for our natural biome.
Glucose is hydrating due to its humectant property. As a humectant, glucose draws moisture from the air and from deeper levels in the skin.
Our skin contains many sugars that act as prebiotics and help strengthen our natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome helps protect our skin from harmful bacteria and other contaminants.
Studies show glucose may help with fading discoloration and pigmentation. This is because our skin metabolizes glucose into lactic acid. Lactic acid is an AHA that helps exfoliate the top layer of skin.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin 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 StearateIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecaneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.
It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.
Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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 AcetateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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