What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Paraffin
Perfuming
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Paraffinum Liquidum, Cera Microcristallina, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Paraffin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Hexyl Laurate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Persea Gratissima Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Tocopherol, BHT, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Citric Acid
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Paraffin
Perfuming
Cera Alba
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Isohexadecane
EmollientBisabolol
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantRicinus Communis Seed Oil, Paraffin, Cera Alba, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cetyl Alcohol, Cera Microcristallina, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Bisabolol, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Candelilla Cera, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, BHT, Parfum, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTThis ingredient is a petroleum-derived wax used to thicken formulas, improve texture, and help lock in moisture.
Like other forms of wax, it forms an occlusive layer on the skin to reduce water loss.
While it can be beneficial for very dry or compromised skin, Cera Microcristallina may not be fungal acne safe; waxes and certain hydrocarbons may contribute to Malassezia growth for those prone to fungal acne.
As with many heavy occlusive ingredients, it may feel too rich for oily or acne-prone skin types. Individual tolerance can vary.
Learn more about Cera MicrocristallinaCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidParaffin is a solid created from petroleum. The term 'paraffin' can also refer to either
petroleum jelly or mineral oil.
It has natural occlusive properties which can worsen oily skin. Due to its petrolatum base, this ingredient is not fungal-acne safe.
