What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveLactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantLupinus Albus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMadecassoside
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Parfum, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Lupinus Albus Seed Oil, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, 1,2-Hexanediol
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
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 ButterCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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