What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOleyl Erucate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCannabidiol - Synthetically Produced
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSymphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientIsomalt
HumectantSucrose Stearate
EmollientSucrose Tristearate
EmollientHydrogenated Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSodium Caproyl Prolinate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlyceryl Laurate
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingWater, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Oleyl Erucate, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cannabidiol - Synthetically Produced, Sodium Hyaluronate, Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Isomalt, Sucrose Stearate, Sucrose Tristearate, Hydrogenated Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Caproyl Prolinate, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Laurate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantPhysalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract
Skin ConditioningRhododendron Ferrugineum Extract
MaskingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantRose Extract
Skin ConditioningPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningMichelia Alba Leaf Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Soybean Oil
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingWater, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Physalis Alkekengi Calyx Extract, Rhododendron Ferrugineum Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Rose Extract, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77491, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Eugenol
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 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 TriglycerideDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobutenePhenoxyethanol 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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 Water