What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Starch
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Octyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Myristyl Lactate
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC13-15 Alkane
SolventJojoba Esters
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Pentaerythritol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxypropyl Starch, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Propanediol, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Niacinamide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triheptanoin, Glycerin, Myristyl Lactate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C13-15 Alkane, Jojoba Esters, Methylpropanediol, Glyceryl Behenate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Caffeine, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Isostearic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Pentaerythritol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventMauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Dilaurate
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentSucrose Palmitate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamide
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingLecithin
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Polianthes Tuberosa Extract
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glucose
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Chloride
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Phytic Acid
Squalene
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Calcium Chloride
AstringentAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetate
BufferingLysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAlanine
MaskingHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Cystine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Asparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
Masking
Ornithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingMethionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Coenzyme A
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantThiamine Diphosphate
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Inositol
Humectant
Niacin
Smoothing
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCalcium Pantothenate
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Water, Isopentyldiol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Maltodextrin, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Mannitol, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Sucrose Dilaurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Sucrose Palmitate, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lecithin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Lysolecithin, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Polianthes Tuberosa Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Pisum Sativum Extract, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Trihydroxystearin, Niacinamide, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Laureth-7, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glucose, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, CI 77491, Citric Acid, Potassium Chloride, Beta-Sitosterol, Phytic Acid, Squalene, Potassium Sorbate, Calcium Chloride, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Magnesium Sulfate, Glutamine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Sodium Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Lysine Hcl, Arginine Hcl, CI 19140, Alanine, Histidine Hcl, Valine, Leucine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Polysorbate 80, Glucomannan, Serine, Cystine, Cyanocobalamin, Glutathione, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Proline, Sodium Citrate, Methionine, Taurine, Hydroxyproline, Glucosamine Hcl, Coenzyme A, Sodium Glucuronate, Thiamine Diphosphate, Retinyl Acetate, Inositol, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hcl, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid
Alternatives
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 ButterCitric 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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePropanediol 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 hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. 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
