What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Squalane, Petrolatum, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Synthetic Wax, Parfum, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceramide NP, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Water, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 15850, CI 19140
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPyrus Malus Seed Oil
EmollientSucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveSilica Silylate
EmollientEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Microcrystalline Wax, Pyrus Malus Seed Oil, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Synthetic Wax, Silica Silylate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, CI 77491, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
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 ButterHydrogenated 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.
Jojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSynthetic 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.
It has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Learn more about Synthetic Wax