What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientArginine
MaskingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
CleansingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientAzadirachta Indica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycol Distearate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Cetearamidopropyldimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningEthyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventSodium Nitrate
SoothingSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingCoumarin
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialWater, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Persea Gratissima Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Arginine, Biotin, Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Azadirachta Indica Seed Oil, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Glycol Distearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxyethyl Cetearamidopropyldimonium Chloride, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Nitrate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Coumarin, Benzyl Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTartaric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCarvone
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingBeta-Caryophyllene
MaskingGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingLavandula Oil/Extract
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetyl Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tartaric Acid, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Linalool, Tocopherol, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Carvone, Geraniol, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Beta-Caryophyllene, Geranyl Acetate, Lavandula Oil/Extract, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citric Acid, CI 17200, CI 42090
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.
This ingredient shows up on a lot of "pore-clogging" lists but there's no real evidence behind that. It doesn't even have a comedogenic rating from an actual study; the numbers you'll find online come from blogs citing other blogs.
Ratings for other ingredients mostly come from a 1980s rabbit ear test. This test doesn't translate well to human skin or to real products because the ingredient sits at a much lower percentage.
Some people still find it breaks them out. So if that's you, definitely trust your skin. Just know this one's based on experience and not evidence.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilParfum 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 ParfumTocopherol 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 Water