What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientDiglycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientNylon-6/12
AbsorbentGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningIsostearic Acid
CleansingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasivePentaerythritol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Stearate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingCalcium Chloride
AstringentBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Diglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Jojoba Esters, Dimethicone, Nylon-6/12, Glyceryl Behenate, CI 77891, Mica, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Caffeine, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Chlorphenesin, Caramel, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Glucoside, CI 77492, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Tocopherol, Silica, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Isostearic Acid, CI 77491, Tin Oxide, Pentaerythritol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Stearate, Citric Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Helianthus Annuus Leaf/Stem Extract, Ceteareth-20, Calcium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTin Oxide
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, C9-12 Alkane, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Caffeine, Cyclodextrin, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Polyacrylate-13, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyisobutene, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Xanthan Gum, Mica, Tocopherol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Arginine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tin Oxide, Propanediol, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, CI 77491
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 ButterCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Dimethicone 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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