What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingPolygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Glycerin, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Saccharide Isomerate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Geraniol, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Undecane
EmollientDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tridecane
Perfuming
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCarnosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Coco-Caprylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Undecane, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Algae Extract, Arachidyl Alcohol, Soluble Collagen, Glyceryl Stearate, Tridecane, Behenyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Carnosine, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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 AcidGlyceryl Stearate Citrate is a citric acid ester of glyceryl stearate.
It is an emulsifier, emollient, and a surfactant.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating. Common ingredients include oils and water, which do not mix naturally. Emulsifiers have properties that help keep ingredients such as these together.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Surfactants help gather oils, dirt, and other pollutants from the skin. This helps them to be easily rinsed away.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate CitratePotassium 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 SorbateSodium 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
