Versus

Verb Bonding Mask Versus Fekkai Shea Butter Intense Mask

Hair Mask
Hair Mask
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on May 29, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe hair masks. They have a total of 18 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Verb Bonding Mask 59 ingredients

Fekkai Shea Butter Intense Mask 81 ingredients

What's inside

What's inside

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Verb Bonding Mask 59 ingredients

Fekkai Shea Butter Intense Mask 81 ingredients

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Bonding Mask

Water

Skin Conditioning

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Stearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Cetyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Cetyl Esters

Emollient
1 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Behentrimonium Chloride

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Quaternium-98

Emollient

Distearyldimonium Chloride

Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine

Emulsifying

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Amodimethicone

Silicon Icon

Isopropyl Myristate

Emollient
3-5 / 3 May worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Chondrus Crispus Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Palmaria Palmata Extract

Skin Protecting

Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Laminaria Saccharina Extract

Skin Protecting

Undaria Pinnatifida Extract

Skin Conditioning

Trichilia Emetica Seed Butter

Emollient

Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Aspergillus Ferment

Skin Conditioning

Xylitol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Anhydroxylitol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Xylitylglucoside

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Caprylyl Methicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

PEG-12 Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Dimethicone Pg-Diethylmonium Chloride

Silicon Icon

Bis-PCA Dimethicone

Silicon Icon

PEG-12 Allyl Ether

Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate

Humectant

Hydroxypropylgluconamide

Humectant

Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate

Cleansing
Silicon Icon

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Isopropyl Alcohol

Solvent
0 / 0 Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyquaternium-10

Polyquaternium-67

Cetrimonium Chloride

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Sodium Acetate

Buffering

Aminomethyl Propanol

Buffering

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Chloride

Masking
Can worsen Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Myristyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 4 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Trideceth-12

Emulsifying

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Tartaric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Benzyl Alcohol

Perfuming
Alcohol IconFragrance IconPreservative IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Benzyl Salicylate

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Limonene

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hexyl Cinnamal

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Hydroxycitronellal

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Linalool

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
Shea Butter Intense Mask

Water

Skin Conditioning

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Diheptyl Succinate

Emollient

Behentrimonium Chloride

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine

Skin Conditioning

Cetyl Esters

Emollient
1 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Jojoba Esters

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract

Skin Protecting

Calodendrum Capense Nut Oil

Emollient
Oil Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Cocos Nucifera Oil

Masking
4 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Helianthus Annuus Extract

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus/Eriodictyon Californicum Ferment Extract

Skin Conditioning

Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Nasturtium Officinale Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Oryza Sativa Extract

Absorbent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Oryza Sativa Seed Protein

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract

Emollient

Trehalose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Amylopectin

Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride

Benzyl Alcohol

Perfuming
Alcohol IconFragrance IconPreservative IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Calcium Gluconate

Humectant

Caprylic Acid

Cleansing
1 / 3

Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside

Cleansing

Cetyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Dipropylene Glycol

Humectant

Ethyl Linoleate

Emollient
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ethyl Oleate

Emollient
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Galactoarabinan

Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Gluconolactone

Skin Conditioning
PHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride

Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate

Emollient

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether

Isopropyl Myristate

Emollient
3-5 / 3 May worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Quaternium-91

Lactic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Antimicrobial
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Linalool

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Maltodextrin

Absorbent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Xylitol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Myristyl Myristate

Emollient
0-5 / 2 May worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Phospholipids

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Phytic Acid

AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Polyglycerin-3

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Polyquaternium-37

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Potassium Hydroxide

Buffering

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Quaternium-95

UV Absorber

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Salicylic Acid

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Phosphate

Buffering

Sodium Phytate

Sorbitan Oleate

Emulsifying
3 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide

Skin Conditioning

Alcohol

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diheptyl Succinate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetyl Esters, Jojoba Esters, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Calodendrum Capense Nut Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Lactobacillus/Eriodictyon Californicum Ferment Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Panthenol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Trehalose, Amylopectin, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Calcium Gluconate, Caprylic Acid, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethyl Linoleate, Ethyl Oleate, Parfum, Galactoarabinan, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Gluconolactone, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Isopropyl Myristate, Quaternium-91, Lactic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Linalool, Maltodextrin, Xylitol, Pentylene Glycol, Myristyl Myristate, Phospholipids, Phytic Acid, Polyglycerin-3, Chlorphenesin, Polyquaternium-37, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Propanediol, Quaternium-95, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide, Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum

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 a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.

It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.

Perfuming, Preservative, Solvent

Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.

Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.

Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.

Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.

Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.

Learn more about Benzyl Alcohol
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

Its main roles are:

Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.

The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

Learn more about Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Cetyl Esters is a synthetic wax made up of mostly fatty acids and fatty alcohols. It is strcturally similar to wax taken from whales.

As an emollient, it creates a thin barrier on the skin. This barrier prevents moisture from escaping.

This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Cetyl Esters
Antimicrobial, Preservative

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Learn more about Chlorphenesin
Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Emollient, Masking

Isopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.

It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.

The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.

Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.

Learn more about Isopropyl Myristate
Perfuming

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.

Learn more about Linalool
Skin Conditioning

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

Learn more about Panthenol
Masking, Perfuming

Parfum 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 ā€œFRAGRANCEā€ or ā€œPARFUMā€ 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 Parfum
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Preservative

Potassium 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 Sorbate
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
Masking, Preservative

Sodium 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 Benzoate
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. 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. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Xylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.

In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.

The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.

As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.

Learn more about Xylitol

When to use

Verb Bonding Mask 59 ingredients

Fekkai Shea Butter Intense Mask 81 ingredients