What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-13
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Melilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningEvodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyisobutene
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Dextran
Trehalose
Humectant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Arachidyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Squalane, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Polyacrylate-13, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, PEG-100 Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Linoleic Acid, Arachidyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 20, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Sterols, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Ceramide Ng, Polyglutamic Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Phospholipids, Lecithin, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Micrococcus Lysate, BHT, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Dextran, Trehalose, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Silica
Abrasive
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-20 Stearate
Emulsifying
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Arginine PCA
HumectantSerine
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cyclohexasiloxane, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Isohexadecane, Zea Mays Starch, Silica, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Beeswax, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Propylene Glycol, PEG-20 Stearate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol, Arginine PCA, Serine, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Polysorbate 80, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Parfum
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 ButterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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 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 BenzoateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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 Water
