What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingAristotelia Chilensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Gardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract
Cosmetic ColorantLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Glycine Soja Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Isostearyl Isostearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Triheptanoin, Ceteareth-20, Aristotelia Chilensis Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Gardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isohexadecane, Maltodextrin, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sorbitan Oleate, Xanthan Gum, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Phytate
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventPropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Isododecane, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Lactobacillus Ferment, Squalane, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol, Sodium Phytate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Benzophenone-4, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 15985, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Coumarin
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 ButterCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
This ingredient is also known as cupuacu butter. It is a plant butter made from the seeds of the cupuacu fruit and has skin conditioning properties.
Like other botanic butters, cupuacu butter works by reducing moisture loss and improving skin smoothness. Some research suggests it has an unusually high ability to interact with water in lab testing, which may help explain why products containing it can feel deeply hydrating.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated. However, those with very oily or clog-prone skin might prefer it in lighter formulations or lower concentrations.
Due to its fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne, safe.
Please note: Fungal acne is not caused by pore clogging. It is caused by an overgrowth of the Malassezia yeast on the skin. This yeast feeds on certain fatty acids.
Learn more about Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed ButterTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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