What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingRose Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Squalane
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
AbrasiveHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientGlucose
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRosa Damascena Flower
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, C14-22 Alcohols, Rose Extract, Cyclohexasiloxane, PEG-100 Stearate, Squalane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Arginine, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Glucose, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Damascena Flower, Ceramide AP, Palmitoyl Proline, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Citronellol, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-20 Stearate
EmulsifyingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantGoat Milk Extract
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeEthylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-20 Stearate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactobacillus, Cyclodextrin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Propylene Glycol, Goat Milk Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, DMDM Hydantoin, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Parfum, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Eugenol, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Coumarin, Limonene, Citric Acid
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 ButterCitric 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 AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolTocopheryl 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