What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Diglycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientIsostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientLactobacillus/Centella Asiatica Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyisobutene
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSqualane
Emollient
Sodium Surfactin
CleansingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Diglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Water, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Heptyl Undecylenate, Lactobacillus/Centella Asiatica Extract Ferment Filtrate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Glyceryl Stearate, C14-22 Alcohols, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Arginine, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyisobutene, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Squalane, Sodium Surfactin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Hydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Ceramide NP, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Glucose, Stearic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Sucrose Distearate, Asiatic Acid, Lauric Acid, Phytosterols, Polyglutamic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ceteareth-20
CleansingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil
Masking
Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Dextran
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceteareth-20, Stearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Disodium EDTA, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Dextran, Ethylhexylglycerin, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Gluconolactone, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool
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 TriglycerideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
