What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Polyacrylamide
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid
Calcium Hydroxymethionine
Skin ConditioningC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Flower Extract
Perfuming
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hyaluronic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Dimethyl Sulfone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Glucoside, Squalane, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Beeswax, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Polyacrylamide, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Polysorbate 20, 3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid, Calcium Hydroxymethionine, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laureth-7, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Styrene
Perfuming
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer 2%
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Homosalate 4%
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene 4%
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3 2%
UV Absorber
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Steareth-21
CleansingPeucedanum Graveolens Extract
TonicRubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Acrylates Copolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLinseed Acid
CleansingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone, Steareth-2, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Styrene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer 2%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate 4%, Octocrylene 4%, Benzophenone-3 2%, Hexylresorcinol, Steareth-21, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sclerotium Gum, Stearyl Alcohol, PEG-8 Laurate, Acrylates Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Linseed Acid, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
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 ButterCetyl 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 AlcoholEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.
The fatty acid content of Ethylhexyl Palmitate makes it an emollient. Emollients help soften and hydrate your skin by trapping moisture within.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is also used to help improve the texture of cosmetics. It helps other ingredient dissolve in products and help disperse ingredients more evenly.
You'll likely find this ingredient in sunscreen, as it is often used to mix UV-blocking ingredients such as avobenzone and ethylhexyl triazone.
It can also help stabilize the fragrances in a product as a fragrance fixative.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be used to substitute mineral oil.
Due to its high fatty acid content, it may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
