What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientAcetyl Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhytonadione
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentSodium Phytate
Escin
TonicLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningRuscus Aculeatus Root Extract
AstringentAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyisobutene
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Acetyl Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Stearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phytonadione, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Algin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Cellulose, Sodium Phytate, Escin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Panthenol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyisobutene, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Mica, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCetearyl Olivate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Malic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSorbic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Glycerin, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Triethylhexanoin, Cetearyl Olivate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Mica, Sorbitan Olivate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 ButterCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCurcuma Longa Root Extract is from the spice, turmeric. Besides being a healthy and delicious spice, turmeric also has plenty of skincare benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant. Antioxidants help neutralize unstable free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin's cells and DNA. Curcumin may help with anti-aging.
Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe skin and reduce irritation. On top of that, curcumin has been shown to help prevent hyperpigmentation from sun damage.
The anti-microbial property of turmeric can make it effective in treating acne. This property has also been shown to help regulate the production of sebum.
Learn more about Curcuma Longa Root ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol 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