What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PCA Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Olivate
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Squalane
Emollient
Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAcanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrifolium Pratense Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAtractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPlantago Asiatica Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Kernel Extract
MoisturisingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Thymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Velvet Extract
HumectantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Trisodium EDTA
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingGinsenosides
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, PCA Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Dimethiconol, Sorbitan Olivate, PEG-150 Distearate, C14-22 Alcohols, Squalane, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Trifolium Pratense Leaf Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Plantago Asiatica Extract, Prunus Persica Kernel Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Velvet Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Triethylhexanoin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Xanthan Gum, Arachidyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Trisodium EDTA, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Tromethamine, Ginsenosides, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Guanosine
Skin ConditioningCyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingHydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingHydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Poloxamer 338
EmulsifyingLimonene
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Cinnamic Acid
Perfuming
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Geraniol
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octyldodecanol, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Guanosine, Cyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Sodium Citrate, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Levulinate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Adenosine, Acer Saccharum Extract, Palmitic Acid, Polyacrylamide, Chlorphenesin, Poloxamer 338, Limonene, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzyl Alcohol, Cinnamic Acid, Propylene Glycol, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Myristic Acid, Geraniol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, BHT, Laureth-7, Levulinic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Glyceryl Caprylate, Parfum
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 ButterDimethicone 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 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 StearateParfum 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 ParfumPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Stearic 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 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
