What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Pentaisononanoate
EmollientLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arginine Ferulate
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Pistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningLactose
HumectantMilk Protein
Skin ConditioningSwertia Chirata Extract
HumectantElettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Yogurt Extract
Skin ConditioningHedychium Spicatum Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract
Masking
Sophora Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Phytate
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingEthylene Brassylate
MaskingMethyl Undecylenate
Perfuming
Ethyl Undecylenate
Perfuming
Phenylisohexanol
MaskingPolystyrene
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Bacillus Ferment, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Maltodextrin, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipentaerythrityl Pentaisononanoate, Lactobacillus, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Plankton Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine Ferulate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Lactose, Milk Protein, Swertia Chirata Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Yogurt Extract, Hedychium Spicatum Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract, Sophora Japonica Flower Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Ethylene Brassylate, Methyl Undecylenate, Ethyl Undecylenate, Phenylisohexanol, Polystyrene, Sodium Ascorbate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Isohexadecane, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Alcohol, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenethyl Alcohol, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Mica, CI 77891
Vitis Vinifera
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tilia Cordata Extract
RefreshingCoenochloris Signiensis Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Leaf Oil
Masking
Olibanum
MaskingCommiphora Myrrha Oil
Masking
Vitis Vinifera, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Cetearyl Glucoside, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbitan Stearate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Tilia Cordata Extract, Coenochloris Signiensis Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Cananga Odorata Leaf Oil, Olibanum, Commiphora Myrrha Oil
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 ButterGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is also known as flaxseed oil or linseed oil. It is created by cold-pressing the seeds of the flax plant and is rich in fatty acids.
This oil is packed with omega-3 (ALA), omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids that closely mimic the skin's own natural lipid barrier. The high omega-3 content gives it solid anti-inflammatory properties.
Clinical studies have found it can reduce water loss and improve smoothness/hydration, particularly in sensitive skin types. Studies also suggest it helps maintain the lipid layer that is compromised in atopic (eczema-prone) skin.
Wound healing studies showed that low-concentration linseed oil formulations (1-5%) produced significant barrier repair, but it should be noted that high concentrations showed diminishing returns.
Due to the rich fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Linum Usitatissimum Seed OilPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol
