What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Ceteth-20
CleansingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Stearate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Glycolate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Isocetyl Stearate, Myristyl Myristate, Pentylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phospholipids, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Ceteth-20, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Polysorbate 60, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Glycolate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Vitis Vinifera
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tilia Cordata Extract
RefreshingCoenochloris Signiensis Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Boswellia Carterii Oil
Masking
Commiphora Myrrha Oil
Masking
Vitis Vinifera, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Cetearyl Glucoside, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbitan Stearate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Tilia Cordata Extract, Coenochloris Signiensis Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Commiphora Myrrha Oil
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 ButterGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateJojoba 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.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 Hyaluronate
