What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Laurate
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Steareth-21, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Steareth-2, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Laureth-7, Sodium Benzoate, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Retinol, Carbomer, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Sucrose Laurate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Benzyl Alcohol, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Seed Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Corymbosum Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Fragaria Ananassa Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Pectin
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Reseda Luteola Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed
Perfuming
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Boswellia Carterii Gum Oil
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitral
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Saccharide Isomerate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Beta-Glucan, Ectoin, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Vaccinium Corymbosum Seed Oil, Fragaria Ananassa Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Pectin, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Reseda Luteola Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Sodium Levulinate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Anisate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Boswellia Carterii Gum Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Citral, Citronellol, Linalool, Limonene
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 ButterCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateWater. 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 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
