What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclomethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientTri-C14-15 Alkyl Citrate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Oryza Sativa Extract 1%
Absorbent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientOctyldodecyl Lactate
EmollientAcrylates/Acrylamide Copolymer
MoisturisingParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Polysorbate 85
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil 0.1%
Emollient
Ceramide NP 0.05%
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behenyl Alcohol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Tri-C14-15 Alkyl Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Oryza Sativa Extract 1%, Butylene Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecyl Lactate, Acrylates/Acrylamide Copolymer, Paraffinum Liquidum, Polysorbate 85, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyglutamic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, C12-14 Pareth-12, Lecithin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Silica, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil 0.1%, Ceramide NP 0.05%, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Glycosphingolipids, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Ceteth-20
CleansingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Stearate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Glycolate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Isocetyl Stearate, Myristyl Myristate, Pentylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phospholipids, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Ceteth-20, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Polysorbate 60, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Glycolate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 ButterThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate is made by combining ten units of glycerin with oleic acid.
According to a manufacturer, it is a low-irritation and hydrophilic (water loving) skin conditioning agent. It also improves the sensory feel and texture of a product.
The Malassezia yeast survives by eating certain fats, including oleic acid. Since this ingredient is made from oleic acid, it might not be fungal acne safe. However, it should be noted this oleic acid is chemically bound to a large polyglycerol molecule, so it might not trigger fungal acne for everyone.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 OleateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
