What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Petrolatum
Emollient
Polybutene
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
PPG-51/Smdi Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Petrolatum, Polybutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pvp, Silica, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-51/Smdi Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sea Whip Extract, Ceramide Ng, Cholesterol, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, C12-16 Alcohols, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Sterols
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Isosorbide Disunflowerseedate
HumectantHydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Portulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningTrihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningPolybutene, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Punica Granatum Sterols, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Isosorbide Disunflowerseedate, Hydroxystearic Acid, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyethylene, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Stearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Palmitic Acid, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Trihydroxystearin, Sucrose Cocoate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Glucomannan
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 ButterThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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 ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPolybutene is used to help control the viscosity of a product. This just means it helps adjusts the texture.
It is a polymer and does not get absorbed into the skin due to its large size.
Studies found this ingredient did not irritate skin in concentrations below 15%.
Learn more about PolybuteneTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopheryl 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 Acetate
