What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPetrolatum
Emollient
Sodium Trideceth Sulfate
Cleansing
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Trideceth-3
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Iron Oxides
Water, Petrolatum, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Sodium Chloride, Glycine Soja Oil, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Trideceth-3, Sodium Citrate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Glyceryl Oleate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamide Methyl Mea
Honey
Humectant
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-10
Disodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Honey, Propolis Extract, Osmanthus Fragrans Flower Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Soluble Collagen, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocamide Mea, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate, Sodium PCA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Caramel, Alcohol, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine
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 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 AcidDisodium 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 EDTAParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
