What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTalc
Abrasive
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingParaffin
Perfuming
Cera Alba
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Simethicone
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Cellulose
Absorbent
Trisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propylparaben
Preservative
Ammonium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Talc, Stearic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Paraffin, Cera Alba, Propylene Carbonate, Synthetic Wax, Oleic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alcohol Denat., Phenoxyethanol, Cera Microcristallina, Benzyl Alcohol, Polyethylene, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Simethicone, Glycine Soja Oil, Cellulose, Trisodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Methylparaben, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylparaben, Ammonium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice, Trideceth-9, Bisabolol, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Polybutene
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Butter
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Dibehenate
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tribehenin
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Arginine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
C12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Silica
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Polybutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propylene Glycol, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Tribehenin, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glyceryl Behenate, Disodium EDTA, Arginine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Tetrasodium EDTA, Silica, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCitric 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 AcidGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
