What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingTridecyl Stearate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningCellulose Acetate Butyrate
Linoleic Acid
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tricaprylin
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSilica Silylate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Isopropyl Palmitate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Olivate, Tridecyl Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Allantoin, Retinol, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Phytosterols, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tricaprylin, Sodium PCA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silica Silylate, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientPEG-20 Stearate
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentArctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Nigra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingRubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantLinalyl Acetate
MaskingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAcetyl Cedrene
Hexamethylindanopyran
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Pinene
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingLavandula Oil/Extract
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dicaprylyl Ether, PEG-20 Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maltodextrin, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Rubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Linalyl Acetate, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Linalool, Limonene, Acetyl Cedrene, Hexamethylindanopyran, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Pinene, Benzyl Salicylate, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Lavandula Oil/Extract
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 an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 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 HydroxideWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum