What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyisobutene
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dextrin Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Water, Synthetic Wax, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Sodium Dna, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Triisostearin
Skin Conditioning
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Caprylic Acid
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Betulin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Squalane, Triisostearin, Ceresin, Microcrystalline Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Dimethicone, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Water, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Glyceryl Glucoside, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Arginine, Caprylic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betulin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
This ingredient is a form of glycerin with emulsifying and emollient properties.
As an emulsifier, this ingredient helps keep products together while adding a thick texture. The manufacturer states this ingredient has emollient properties. Emollients help keep the skin hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is created by reacting diglycerin and isostearic acid. Due to the isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilWater. 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
