What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolyisobutene
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Parfum
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingDiisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Microcrystalline Wax, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Synthetic Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Parfum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Propolis Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientCedrol
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSimethicone
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientProtease
ExfoliatingSerine
MaskingChlorophyllin-Copper Complex
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantStearic Acid
CleansingGlutathione
Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningDesamido Collagen
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diisostearyl Malate, Microcrystalline Wax, Sorbitan Olivate, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Sorbitan Stearate, Dimethicone, Cedrol, Gluconolactone, Simethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Protease, Serine, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Glyceryl Glucoside, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Alcohol Denat., Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, BHT, Stearic Acid, Glutathione, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide Ns, Phytosphingosine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Desamido Collagen, Ceramide EOP, Parfum, Limonene
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 ButterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDiisostearyl 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.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHydrogenated 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 PolyisobuteneMicrocrystalline 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.
Parfum 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 ParfumTocopherol 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 Tocopherol