What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated 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
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberTribehenin
Emollient
Potassium Stearate
CleansingButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Alumina
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Glyceryl Behenate, Synthetic Wax, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Octyldodecanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Ceramide NP, Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dipropylene Glycol, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Tribehenin, Potassium Stearate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Lactic Acid, Alumina, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredientâs final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl 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, 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 NPEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateHydrogenated 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 PolyisobuteneLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic Wax
