What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCellulose Acetate
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Niacinamide
SmoothingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-20 Stearate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSalicylic Acid
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingNasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
PerfumingRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Cellulose Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Niacinamide, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-20 Stearate, Parfum, Sodium Lactate, Maltodextrin, Salicylic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Coco-Glucoside, Nasturtium Officinale Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientCanola Oil
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantSilybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 11680
Cosmetic ColorantMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeSilica
AbrasiveCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Alumina, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Canola Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Behenate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, CI 11680, Methylisothiazolinone, Silica, CI 77491, Potassium Sorbate, CI 42090, Citric Acid, Limonene, Citral
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 ButterCetearyl 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 AlcoholCetyl 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 AlcoholLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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