What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Myristate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone
EmollientSqualane
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Urea, Lactic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Myristyl Myristate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Squalane, Retinol, Triethyl Citrate, Glycerin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polysorbate 20, Cellulose Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate, Ceramide NP, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingCetearyl Olivate
Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetyl Stearate
EmollientMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingJojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSqualene
EmollientSalinicoccus Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingAmylopectin
Cucurbita Maxima Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningPolydextrose
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-3
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Vegetable Oil, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycolic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Cetyl Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Squalene, Salinicoccus Lysate Filtrate, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Urea, Amylopectin, Cucurbita Maxima Fruit Extract, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Polydextrose, Dextrin, Bacillus Ferment, Phytosterols, Folic Acid, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Oligopeptide-2, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexapeptide-11, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-3, Propylene Carbonate, Potassium Sorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
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 an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterThis ingredient is an 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.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideUrea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Learn more about UreaWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water