What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Monascus Extract
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Olivate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Trihydroxystearin, Monascus Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Dehydroacetic Acid
Polyisobutene
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tridecyl Stearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyisobutene, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Jojoba Esters, Sorbitan Olivate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Tridecyl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Caprylyl Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol
Reviews
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 ButterThis ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilJojoba 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 OilSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTocopherol (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
