What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningSphingolipids
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, Parfum, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sphingolipids, Water, Ceramide NP, Lactic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate
Polyisobutene
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientBixa Orellana Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingSphingolipids
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Parfum, Sphingolipids, Ceramide NP
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 PolyisobutenePalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (formerly Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3) is a lab-made peptide with anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing benefits. It's made up of four amino acids (glycine, glutamine, proline, and arginine) and palmitic acid (which helps it penetrate skin more effectively).
This ingredient helps reduce inflammation by limiting the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a chemical that triggers inflammatory responses, particularly after UV exposure.
Less inflammation = slower collagen breakdown and a longer-lasting, youthful appearance.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 also stimulates collagen production and supports a healthier skin barrier.
Over time, this can improve skin firmness, hydration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Itās commonly paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.
This ingredient has been shown to be effective and safe in cosmetic use and you'll typically find it in small amounts (less than 0.01%).
Due to its palmitic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Parfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumSphingolipids are a major class of lipids in cell membranes. This ingredient has emollient, skin conditioning, and skin protecting properties.
Certain ceramides are considered sphingolipids (Ceramide NS and Ceramid AP), but not all sphingolipids are ceramides.