What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cera Alba
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Mel
EmollientCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Camelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Cera Alba, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Lecithin, C10-18 Triglycerides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mel, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Propolis Extract, Citric Acid, Citral, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Mineral Salts
Skin ConditioningStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mineral Salts, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Tocopherol, Citric Acid
Reviews
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 ButterThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric 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 AcidOleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides isn't fungal acne safe.
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 Tocopherol
