What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate
Skin ConditioningPolyethylene
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientMenthyl PCA
HumectantLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
AstringentMonascus Extract
Skin ConditioningAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTribehenin
EmollientCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCollagen
MoisturisingGlycerin
HumectantCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantBetaine
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningFructan
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Microcrystalline Wax, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Menthyl PCA, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Monascus Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Collagen Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Dimethicone, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tribehenin, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ceramide NP, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panthenol, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Collagen, Glycerin, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Tocopherol, Betaine, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta-Glucan, Fructan, Ceramide EOP, Inulin, Parfum, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolybutene
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentSucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
EmollientHydrogenated Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantAroma
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeMethicone
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Silica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingCI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Alginate
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentFragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Extract
Skin ProtectingSapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingRubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Calcium Chloride
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningManganese Sulfate
Skin ConditioningZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantDiisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polybutene, Microcrystalline Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Hydrogenated Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Mica, Aroma, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Dimethicone, CI 77891, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Methicone, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Silica, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, CI 47005, Water, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, CI 42090, Potassium Alginate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alcohol, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Ascorbyl Glucoside
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanThis 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 ButterDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Diisostearyl 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.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeThis is a synthetic polymer used to thicken formulas, improve texture, and enhance spreadability.
Due to its large molecule size, this ingredient does not penetrate the skin and is considered well-tolerated.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated 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.
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate is an emollient ester.
As an emollient, it softens and hydrates your skin by locking moisture in. Its large, branched structure gives it a thick, cushiony feel without being greasy. This is why it shows up most often in lip balms, lipsticks, and other stick or balm formulas, where it adds gloss and helps hold waxes and pigments together.
The phytosterol portion is a nice extra. Phytosterols are plant-based lipids that are structurally similar to ones found naturally in skin, so they can help support the skin barrier.
Because this ingredient contains C16, C18, and C22 fatty chains, it may not be Malassezia/fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast potentially feeds on fatty acids in the C11-C24 range. If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
Learn more about Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer DilinoleateThis 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 TriisostearateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water