What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Silica
Abrasive
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Aroma
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Punica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Polyester-1
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Octyldodecanol, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Aroma, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Glyceryl Behenate, Polyester-1, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Squalane, Tocopherol, Linalool
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Polyethylene
Abrasive
C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters
Emulsifying
Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract
TonicSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Punica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantTrihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningCI 12085
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Silica, Polyethylene, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Parfum, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, CI 77220, Trihydroxystearin, Tocopherol, Propyl Gallate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, CI 12085, CI 15850, CI 15985, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 45380, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 77163, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77742, CI 77891
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 ButterOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
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 TriisostearatePomegranate flower extract has skin conditioning properties.
According to analysis of the flower, it is rich in the triterpenes ursolic acid and oleanolic acid.
Triterpenes are chemical compounds found in various plants such as pomegranates, apples, basil, and rosemary. They have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
The flowers also contain gallic acid and ellagic acid, two types of polyphenols. They possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
A study from 2017 found pomegranate flower to help heal scars and wounds in rats. Another study from 2020 found this ingredient to help decrease lip wrinkles and increase lip volume.
This ingredient also showed positive effects on dandruff removal in a study from 2015.
Learn more about Punica Granatum Flower ExtractSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaJojoba 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 OilTocopherol (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 TocopherolEuphorbia Cerifera wax comes from a shrub in Northern Mexico. It is used to stabilize formulations and has emollient properties.
Emollients form a thin layer on top of skin to prevent water from evaporating, keeping skin and lips hydrated.
According to a manufacturer, this wax can range from a yellow/brown color to translucent.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
