What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Cocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Benzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientVanillin
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrogenated Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer
C10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTriolein
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Dioleate
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cera Microcristallina, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecanol, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Benzyl Benzoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Parfum, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Vanillin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer, C10-18 Triglycerides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triolein, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glyceryl Dioleate, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 15850
Polyisobutene
Paraffinum Liquidum
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCandelilla Cera
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantSucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPolyglyceryl-6 Pentastearate
EmulsifyingVanillin
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Juice
AntioxidantRubus Idaeus Juice
AstringentPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Butylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyisobutene, Paraffinum Liquidum, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Cera Microcristallina, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Candelilla Cera, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Triacontanyl Pvp, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Parfum, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Pentastearate, Vanillin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Juice, Rubus Idaeus Juice, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, CI 19140, 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.
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 ButterCera Microcristallina, aka microcrystalline wax, is a petroleum-derived wax that helps thicken texture and stabilize the oils in formulas.
It also has mild occlusive properties that creates a film on skin to slow down water loss.
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
This ingredient is refined to a cosmetic grade with high purity. It is chemically inert, stable, and doesn't clog pores (petroleum has a comedogenic rating of 0).
Malassezia feeds on fatty acids roughly in the C11-24 range and this ingredient contains none of those. Since there's no plausible food source for it here, this ingredient is fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cera MicrocristallinaCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891This ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilHydrogenated 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 PolyisobuteneWe don't have a description for Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer yet.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateVanillin is the main compound of the vanilla bean. It is naturally occuring but can also be artificially created.
This ingredient exhibits antioxidant properties but is also a known skin-irritant.
Vanillism is the term of contact-dermatitis associated with the vanilla plant. The sap of the vanilla plant triggers skin irritation, swelling, and redness.
Learn more about Vanillin