What's In My Jar
ilapothecary Protective Aura Day Cream
ilapothecary

ilapothecary Protective Aura Day Cream

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Cetearyl alcohol, Theobroma cacao seed butter + 15 more
Works
What the product description says
“This alchemical blend of Boswellia, Moringa and Sandalwood leaves your skin feeling smooth and hydrated.”
Source: Mankind

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycerin.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: theobroma cacao seed butter, cetearyl alcohol.

Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~2.6–3.1%
Theobroma cacao seed butterKey active· EmollientEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect~0.45–0.65%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~0.3–0.6%
Copernicia cerifera ceraKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumBrazilian palm wax. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.3%
Glyceryl stearate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~3.6–4.4%
Arachidyl alcohol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency~2–2.4%
Behenyl alcohol· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: LowNon-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient~1.7–2.1%
Glyceryl caprylate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products~0.95–1.2%
Moringa oleifera seed oil· EmollientEffect: LowA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid~0.7–1%
Aloe barbadensis leaf powderEffect: LowA plant extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.35–0.6%
Tephrosia purpurea seed extractEffect: LowA plant extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. The manufacturer claims that it can help "break down cortisol production in skin production in skin cells", but actual benefits to the skin are not clear~0.2–0.4%
Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~0.15–0.25%
Rosa damascena flower waterEffect: Low, below effective doseUsed to add a nice rose smell to the product. Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be irritating~0.4–0.6%
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilUnder-dosedSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.~0.6–0.9%
Prunus armeniaca kernel oilUnder-dosedAn emollient that helps soften the skin~0.55–0.8%
Butyrospermum parkii butterUnder-dosedA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals~0.5–0.75%
Caprylic/capric triglycerideUnder-dosedA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~0.2–0.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Rosa damascena flower water, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 14 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
P-anisic acidHelps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritatingHigh~1.1–1.4%est.
Rosa damascena flower waterUsed to add a nice rose smell to the product. Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be irritatingHigh~0.4–0.6%est.
Pelargonium graveolens flower oilAn essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidationHigh~0.2–0.4%est.
Santalum album oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.3%est.
Decyl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.35%est.
Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 estersHelp oil and water mix togetherMedium~6.5–8%est.
Sodium stearoyl lactylateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~2.3–2.8%est.
Moringa oleifera seed oilA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acidMedium~0.7–1%est.
Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.Medium~0.6–0.9%est.
Prunus armeniaca kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the skinMedium~0.55–0.8%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf powderA plant extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skinMedium~0.35–0.6%est.
Tephrosia purpurea seed extractA plant extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. The manufacturer claims that it can help "break down cortisol production in skin production in skin cells", but actual benefits to the skin are not clearMedium~0.2–0.4%est.
Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~0.2–0.35%est.
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~0.15–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
3 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Butyrospermum parkii butterA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals3/5~0.5–0.75%est.
Theobroma cacao seed butterHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect3/5~0.45–0.65%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~2.6–3.1%est.

User reviews

Would you recommend?
No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters~6.5–8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Help oil and water mix together

More about Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters
Glyceryl stearate~3.6–4.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Cetearyl alcohol~2.6–3.1%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Sodium stearoyl lactylate~2.3–2.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium stearoyl lactylate
Arachidyl alcohol~2–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency

More about Arachidyl alcohol
Behenyl alcohol~1.7–2.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient

More about Behenyl alcohol
Arachidyl glucoside~1.4–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Arachidyl glucoside
P-anisic acid~1.1–1.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Helps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritating

More about P-anisic acid
Glyceryl caprylate~0.95–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products

More about Glyceryl caprylate
Moringa oleifera seed oil~0.7–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid

More about Moringa oleifera seed oil
Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.6–0.9%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.

More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oil
Prunus armeniaca kernel oil~0.55–0.8%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oil
Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.5–0.75%
Under-dosedComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

More about Butyrospermum parkii butter
Tocopherol extract
Not recognized
Theobroma cacao seed butter~0.45–0.65%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-dandruff

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect

More about Theobroma cacao seed butter
Xanthan gum~0.4–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Rosa damascena flower water~0.4–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

Used to add a nice rose smell to the product. Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be irritating

More about Rosa damascena flower water
Aloe barbadensis leaf powder~0.35–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf powder
Water~0.3–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~0.3–0.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Glycine soja extract~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Glycine soja extract
Water~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Propanediol~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Tephrosia purpurea seed extract~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A plant extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. The manufacturer claims that it can help "break down cortisol production in skin production in skin cells", but actual benefits to the skin are not clear

More about Tephrosia purpurea seed extract
Pelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

An essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation

More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oil
Santalum album oil~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Santalum album oil
Water~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.2–0.35%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Copernicia cerifera cera~0.15–0.3%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Brazilian palm wax. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Copernicia cerifera cera
Decyl glucoside~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Decyl glucoside
Pentylene glycol~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol
Ingredient list view

Water, Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters, Glyceryl stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Sodium stearoyl lactylate, Arachidyl alcohol, Behenyl alcohol, Arachidyl glucoside, P-anisic acid, Glyceryl caprylate, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Unknown, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Xanthan gum, Rosa damascena flower water, Aloe barbadensis leaf powder, Water, Glycerin, Glycine soja extract, Water, Propanediol, Tephrosia purpurea seed extract, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Santalum album oil, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Copernicia cerifera cera, Decyl glucoside, Pentylene glycol

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Amazon USPrice as of 11/12 15:42 GMT
$68.00
Buy

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
ilapothecaryProtective Aura Day CreamYOUR PRODUCTQ+ASnow Algae Face CreamEstelle and ThildEstelle Thild BioCalm Nourishing Night CreamNø CosmeticsNo Make Up Strong Today Hypersense Pink Power Cream
Match—42%41%41%
Price$68.00—$33.82−$34.18—
Shared key ingredients—4 of 64 of 64 of 6
Key difference—Sunflower Seed OilGluconolactonePanthenol
Irritancy High Low Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop
  • matches yours
  • differs
  • cheaper

More alternatives: Swiss Image Absolute Hydration Day CreamLavera Wild Rose Day Cream

Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Sodium anisateecha.europa.eu
  2. 2
    Moringa oleifera seed oil: Composition, nutritional aspects and health attributesresearchgate.net
  3. 3
    Moringa oleifera Seeds and Oil: Characteristics and Uses for Human Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Cocoa polyphenols and their influence on parameters involved in ex vivo skin restructuringncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Annex I: Clinical evidence regarding sensitisation to individual fragrance chemicals and to natural extracts ec.europa.eu
  6. 6
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
ilapothecary Protective Aura Day Cream
ilapothecaryProtective Aura Day Cream
Buy on Amazon$68.00 · as of 11/12 15:42 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy on Amazon$68.00 · as of 11/12 15:42 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.