What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Argilla
Abrasive
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMenthol
Masking
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
C9-12 Alkane
SolventDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Citronellol
Perfuming
Leptospermum Petersonii Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Behenyl Alcohol, Argilla, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Arachidyl Glucoside, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Salicylic Acid, Triheptanoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Menthol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, C9-12 Alkane, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Citronellol, Leptospermum Petersonii Oil, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, CI 19140, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Petrolatum
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bentonite
Absorbent
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Bentonite, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
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 ButterCaprylyl 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
