What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
C12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
4-Terpineol
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Colloidal Sulfur
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glucose
Humectant
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Troxerutin
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningHydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningRutin
Antioxidant
Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Dimethyl Sulfone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Palmitic Acid, C12-14 Alketh-12, Stearic Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Allantoin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Salicylic Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, 4-Terpineol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zinc PCA, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Colloidal Sulfur, Disodium EDTA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Myristyl Alcohol, Glucose, Coptis Japonica Extract, Tocopherol, Lauryl Alcohol, Myristic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Oleic Acid, Limonene, Troxerutin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Levulinic Acid, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Geraniol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Rutin
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ceteareth-20
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Dextran
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceteareth-20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Dextran, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
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 ButterCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic Acid
