What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Pandanus Conoideus Fruit Oil
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCellulose
Absorbent
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Isododecane, Squalane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyclodextrin, Phytosterols, Phenoxyethanol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopherol, Linoleic Acid, Pandanus Conoideus Fruit Oil, Ceramide NP, Bisabolol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cellulose, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinal, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Sodium Polyaspartate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Trihydroxystearin
Water
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gigartina Stellata Extract
Skin ProtectingPropanediol
Solvent
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Rhizobian Gum
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Water, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Coco-Caprylate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Gigartina Stellata Extract, Propanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Oryza Sativa Starch, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Rhizobian Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Parfum, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Lactic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Collagen Amino Acids, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
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 ButterDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 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 HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
