What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingCucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Dna
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Water, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Dna, Parfum, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Adenosine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Rubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
Echinacea Angustifolia Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Cetyl Stearate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Dna
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Echinacea Angustifolia Meristem Cell Culture, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycol Distearate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Isostearyl Isostearate, Cetyl Stearate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Dna, Allantoin, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 TriglycerideCetearyl 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Dna yet.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
