What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethyl Oleate
Emollient
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauryl Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingInonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Phytic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFructose
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Ethyl Oleate, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Behenyl Alcohol, Lauryl Laurate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, C12-16 Alcohols, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Arginine, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Coco-Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fructose, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Caramel, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Pentapeptide-59
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Withania Somnifera Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Tenuiflorum Extract
Skin ConditioningRhodiola Rosea Extract
EmollientLactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Pentapeptide-59, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maltodextrin, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Xanthan Gum, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Withania Somnifera Extract, Ocimum Tenuiflorum Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Extract, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis is the extract of the Reishi mushroom.
The Reishi mushroom has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
This is due to its content of terpenoids, polysaccharides, macronutrients, and phenolic acids.
Learn more about Ganoderma Lucidum ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolWater. 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
