What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBisabolol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Dehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeBakuchiol
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantBHA
AntioxidantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Benzyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Bakuchiol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, BHT, BHA
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventSqualane
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Squalane, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 60, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Calcium Gluconate
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 ButterDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 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 HydroxideSodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an amino-acid based emulsifier. It is made by combining stearic acid with L-glutamic acid and neutralizing it to a sodium salt.
As an emulsifier, it works mainly as an oil-in-water one and helps keep the oil and water in your formulas blended. It also contributes to a smooth, non-greasy skin feel.
This ingredient is biodegradable and commonly available in natural/COSMOS-certified grades.
Learn more about Sodium Stearoyl GlutamateWater. 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