What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethyl Oleate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Squalane
Emollient
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Eperua Falcata Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Ethyl Oleate, Niacinamide, Squalane, C12-16 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Maltodextrin, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Ectoin, Tocopherol, Eperua Falcata Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phytic Acid, Adenosine, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Citric Acid
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Juice
AstringentVitis Vinifera Juice
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Juice
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Flower Extract
Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Heptyl Glucoside
SurfactantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Zea Mays Germ Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Yogurt
Skin ProtectingCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentSalicylic Acid
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Calcium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Tapioca Starch
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Juice, Vitis Vinifera Juice, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rubus Idaeus Juice, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Extract, Glycerin, Maltodextrin, Heptyl Glucoside, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Cetearyl Alcohol, Zea Mays Germ Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Yogurt, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Beeswax, Tocopherol, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Salicylate, Calcium Ascorbate, Lecithin, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera Water, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Tapioca Starch, Thioctic 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 ButterGlycerin (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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinSodium 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 TocopherolXanthan 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
