What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Benzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isohexadecane, Sorbitol, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Myristate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingOryzanol
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingMyristyl Laurate
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCinnamomum Camphora Linalooliferum Leaf Oil
PerfumingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingFoeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantParfum
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Myristyl Myristate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Oryzanol, Bisabolol, Myristyl Laurate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Cinnamomum Camphora Linalooliferum Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, Parfum, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool
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 an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Limonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water