What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCetyl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Ledum Groenlandicum Extract
MaskingLecithin
Emollient
Inonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentPinus Strobus Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, C12-16 Alcohols, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Maltodextrin, C10-18 Triglycerides, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Ledum Groenlandicum Extract, Lecithin, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Pinus Strobus Bark Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, CI 77891, Propylene Glycol, Phytic Acid, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
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 GlycerinTocopherol 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
