What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Squalane
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPigment Red 57
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveLimonene
PerfumingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSqualane, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Stearalkonium Hectorite, CI 77491, Pigment Red 57, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Mentha Piperita Oil, CI 15850, Silica, Limonene, Trihydroxystearin, Sodium Hyaluronate
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolybutene
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientJojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningLinalyl Acetate
MaskingTerpineol
MaskingDimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate
PerfumingVanillin
MaskingCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Microcrystalline Wax, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Synthetic Wax, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide AP, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Trihydroxystearin, Linalyl Acetate, Terpineol, Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate, Vanillin, CI 15850
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilThis ingredient is lipid-based synthetic skin-conditioning agent derived from adipic acid and a mixture of fatty acids. It is often called a lanolin substitute.
As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate the skin. Emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Due to its fatty acid base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2This 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 ButterCi 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.
The fatty acid content of Ethylhexyl Palmitate makes it an emollient. Emollients help soften and hydrate your skin by trapping moisture within.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is also used to help improve the texture of cosmetics. It helps other ingredient dissolve in products and help disperse ingredients more evenly.
You'll likely find this ingredient in sunscreen, as it is often used to mix UV-blocking ingredients such as avobenzone and ethylhexyl triazone.
It can also help stabilize the fragrances in a product as a fragrance fixative.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be used to substitute mineral oil.
Due to its high fatty acid content, it may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateHydrogenated 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.
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.
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 OilSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSynthetic 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 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 TocopherolThis ingredient comes from Hydroxystearic Acid, a fatty acid, and glycerin. It is used to thicken oils.
Due to its fatty acid content, it is a natural emollient.
Creating trihydroxystearin involves using a chemical reaction between hydrogen and castor oil.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Trihydroxystearin