What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantPolyisobutene
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingWater, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Glycerin, Squalane, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Bakuchiol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysilicone-11, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phytosterols, Citric Acid, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenethyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Olus Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Swertia Chirata Extract
HumectantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Eperua Falcata Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingHordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Chitosan
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Tropolone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Olus Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Candelilla Cera, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Trehalose, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Swertia Chirata Extract, Maltodextrin, Eperua Falcata Bark Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycine Soja Oil, Chitosan, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glycolic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Oleate, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Tropolone, 1,2-Hexanediol
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 TriglycerideCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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 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
