What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientIsopentyldiol
HumectantMyristyl Myristate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientPseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate
HumectantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialRetinal
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCholesterol
EmollientSqualene
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
Humectant2,3-Butanediol
HumectantPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPhytic Acid
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingCalcium Alginate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLecithin
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Squalane, Isopentyldiol, Myristyl Myristate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate, Bakuchiol, Retinal, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus Ferment, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Inulin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Ceramide NP, Lactic Acid, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Chrysin, Ceramide EOP, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cholesterol, Squalene, Behenyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Sodium Polyglutamate, Phosphatidylcholine, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, 2,3-Butanediol, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Phytic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Beta-Sitosterol, Calcium Alginate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCoconut Alkanes
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingVitis Vinifera Juice
AntioxidantPyrus Malus Juice
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientOenothera Biennis Leaf Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantLecithin
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
HumectantUbiquinone
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCoco-Caprylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingVitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Leaf Extract
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycerin
Thioctic Acid
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Coconut Alkanes, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Juice, Pyrus Malus Juice, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Oenothera Biennis Leaf Cell Extract, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Lecithin, Hyaluronic Acid, Ubiquinone, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Coco-Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Citrus Limon Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Xanthan Gum, Mica, Allantoin, CI 77891, Ethylhexylglycerin, Diheptyl Succinate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Capryloyl Glycerin, Thioctic Acid
Reviews
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 ButterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 StearateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTocopherol 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 TocopherolXanthan 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