What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSteareth-2
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientStyrene
PerfumingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer 2%
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberHomosalate 4%
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene 4%
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3 2%
UV AbsorberHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialSteareth-21
CleansingPeucedanum Graveolens Extract
TonicRubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingAcrylates Copolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Behenyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLinseed Acid
CleansingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Carbonate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone, Steareth-2, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Styrene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer 2%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate 4%, Octocrylene 4%, Benzophenone-3 2%, Hexylresorcinol, Steareth-21, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sclerotium Gum, Stearyl Alcohol, PEG-8 Laurate, Acrylates Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Linseed Acid, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingSodium PCA
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantProline
Skin ConditioningHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDilinoleic Acid
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Stearic Acid
CleansingHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSea Water
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientUbiquinone
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantSpilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingWater, Triheptanoin, Stearyl Alcohol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glycerin, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Proline, Hydroxyproline, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dilinoleic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Stearic Acid, Hexylresorcinol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sea Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Ubiquinone, Tocopherol, Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol
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 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 ButterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinAnother popular name for this ingredient is Synovea HR. This ingredient is a skin lightener and antioxidant.
Like other skin lighteners, it blocks the process of skin darkening. Specifically, this ingredient blocks tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for darkening skin when exposed to UV.
Hexylresorcinol works well with other ingredients. Studies show this ingredient boosts the effect of niacinamide, various forms of vitamin C, and retinoids.
Many consider this to be a safer alternative to hydroquinone. In fact, this ingredient produces the same results as hydroquinone in lower amounts.
Fun fact: This ingredient can also be found food and medicine for treating skin infections.
Gentle reminder from SkinSort: all skin tones are beautiful!
Learn more about HexylresorcinolParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholTocopheryl 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