What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cocoyl Adipic Acid/Trimethylolpropane Copolymer
Diisostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ribose
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Alaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sophora Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ProtectingWater, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocoyl Adipic Acid/Trimethylolpropane Copolymer, Diisostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Bentonite, Behenyl Alcohol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Ribose, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Panthenol, Glycine Soja Extract, Xanthan Gum, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Yeast Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Citric Acid, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sophora Japonica Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningWater, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Beta-Carotene
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 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 GlycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
