What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 4%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 2%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSteareth-2
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialSteareth-21
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Disodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Homosalate 4%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%, Octocrylene 2%, Water, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone, Steareth-2, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Propanediol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Behenyl Alcohol, Hexylresorcinol, Steareth-21, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sclerotium Gum, PEG-8 Laurate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77891, Mica, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientDimethyl Sulfone
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPolyacrylamide
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid
SurfactantCalcium Hydroxymethionine
Skin ConditioningC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Flower Extract
PerfumingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hyaluronic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Dimethyl Sulfone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Glucoside, Squalane, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Beeswax, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Polyacrylamide, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Polysorbate 20, 3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid, Calcium Hydroxymethionine, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laureth-7, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, 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.
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 ButterEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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