What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Squalane
Emollient
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyethylene
Abrasive
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPyrus Malus Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Diglyceryl Sebacate/Isopalmitate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantSqualane, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Diisostearyl Malate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Synthetic Wax, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyethylene, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Pyrus Malus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Soluble Collagen, Boron Nitride, Diglyceryl Sebacate/Isopalmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Water, Glycerin, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 15850, CI 77491, CI 17200
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Polyisobutene
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
Emollient
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
C30-50 Alcohols
Emulsifying
Candelilla Wax Esters
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Limonene
Perfuming
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, C30-50 Alcohols, Candelilla Wax Esters, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Polyethylene, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Limonene, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin
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 ButterCamellia Japonica Seed Oil comes from the Japanese Camellia plant. This plant is native to East Asia and known as "Tsubaki" in Japanese.
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil is rich in oleic acid. This makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe the skin by forming a barrier. This barrier traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydated.
Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer is an exfoliant.
Glycerin (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 Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobutenePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate is an emollient ester.
As an emollient, it softens and hydrates your skin by locking moisture in. Its large, branched structure gives it a thick, cushiony feel without being greasy. This is why it shows up most often in lip balms, lipsticks, and other stick or balm formulas, where it adds gloss and helps hold waxes and pigments together.
The phytosterol portion is a nice extra. Phytosterols are plant-based lipids that are structurally similar to ones found naturally in skin, so they can help support the skin barrier.
Because this ingredient contains C16, C18, and C22 fatty chains, it may not be Malassezia/fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast potentially feeds on fatty acids in the C11-C24 range. If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
Learn more about Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer DilinoleatePolyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
We don't have a description for Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate yet.
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate isn't fungal acne safe.
Synthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.
It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.
Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about Tocopherol
