What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHoney Extract
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantCollagen
MoisturisingHydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCera Alba
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Stearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyisobutene
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Honey Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Collagen, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Cera Alba, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC13-15 Alkane
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-1
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientXylitylglucoside
HumectantHoney Extract
HumectantBetaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientGlucose
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantXylitol
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTriolein
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingAroma
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Dioleate
EmollientSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantSodium Phytate
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-15 Alkane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-1, Diisostearyl Malate, Xylitylglucoside, Honey Extract, Betaine, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Ceramide NP, Propolis Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Tocopherol, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Glucose, Bisabolol, Xylitol, Anhydroxylitol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Triolein, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Arginine, Aroma, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Dioleate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 ButterCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 comes from honey made by bees. It is hydrating, antibacterial, anti-aging, and skin soothing.
Honey also contains amino acids, peptides, Vitamins A, C, and E.
The humectant property of honey draws moisture from the air to your skin. This makes it great at helping to hydrate the skin.
Honey may help reduce the signs of aging due to its antioxidant properties. Fun fact: darker honey has more antioxidants than light honey. The antibacterial property of honey may make it effective at helping to treat acne by killing acne-causing bacteria.
Many people wonder if honey extract is vegan. It is technically a byproduct from bees. This is because honey is created from the digestive enzymes in a bee's stomach.
Remember to be kind to bees :) They are important for many ecosystems and are endangered.
Learn more about Honey ExtractPotassium 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 BenzoateSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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