What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOleyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientBis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCandelilla Cera
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
MaskingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialMyristic Acid
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSorbitol
HumectantVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Oleyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Candelilla Cera, Behenyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Myristic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Parfum, Sorbitol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Citric Acid, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Limonene, Coumarin, Linalool, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol Dicaprylate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPolyamide-5
Skin ConditioningIsocetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientPolyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract
Skin ProtectingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningTripleurospermum Maritimum Extract
Skin ProtectingLecithin
EmollientHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSqualane
EmollientPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveColloidal Gold
AntimicrobialAcetyl Heptapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol Dicaprylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Isostearyl Isostearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Polyamide-5, Isocetyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl Ether, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Carbomer, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Dimethicone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tocopherol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Tripleurospermum Maritimum Extract, Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Lactate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Squalane, Phytosterols, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sodium PCA, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Silica, Colloidal Gold, Acetyl Heptapeptide-9, Ergothioneine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholThis 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumWater. 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