What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCeteareth-20
CleansingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientParfum
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Caramel, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningWater, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Water, Diheptyl Succinate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin
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 ButterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateGlycerin (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 ParfumThis ingredient is also known as sweet almond oil. It is a lightweight, cold-pressed oil from the ripe seeds of the sweet almond tree.
Sweet almond oil is rich in skin-nourishing fatty acids such as oleic acid (55-86%) and linolenic acid (7-35%).
As an emollient, it softens and hydrates skin by forming a thin barrier that locks in moisture.
Clinical studies have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing. The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the available safety data and concluded it is safe for topical use.
Because of the oleic acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis OilTocopheryl 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