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
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Silica
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, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, 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
Polyisobutene
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyisobutene, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Octyldodecanol, Cera Microcristallina, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylyl Glycol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glyceryl Behenate, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 15850, Iron Oxides, 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 ButterCaprylyl 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 GlycolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
