What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tribehenin
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
Preservative
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract
MaskingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Simethicone
Emollient
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion Stabilising3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid
Calcium Hydroxymethionine
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tribehenin, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Dimethiconol, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylparaben, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbitan Laurate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Simethicone, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, 3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid, Calcium Hydroxymethionine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Sodium Benzoate, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide EOP, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 14700
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Boswellia Carterii Oil
Masking
Sodium Cocoyl/Stearoyl (Alanine/Arginine/Asparagine/Aspartic Acid/Glutamic Acid/Glutamine/Glycine/Histidine/Isoleucine/Leucine/Lysine/Phenylalanine/Proline/Serine/Threonine/Tyrosine/Valine)
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentTaraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Arnica Montana Flower Oil
Perfuming
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Potassium Stearate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Beeswax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Sodium Cocoyl/Stearoyl (Alanine/Arginine/Asparagine/Aspartic Acid/Glutamic Acid/Glutamine/Glycine/Histidine/Isoleucine/Leucine/Lysine/Phenylalanine/Proline/Serine/Threonine/Tyrosine/Valine), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Lactate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Potassium Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
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 ButterEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 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.
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 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
