What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Petrolatum
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Honey Extract
Humectant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBixa Orellana Seed Oil
Emollient
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Honey
Humectant
Petrolatum, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Microcrystalline Wax, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Beeswax, Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Honey Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Royal Jelly Extract, Glycerin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Propolis Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Honey
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Candelilla Wax Esters
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Methicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
BHT
Antioxidant
Punica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingRubus Idaeus Juice
AstringentVitis Vinifera Juice
Antioxidant
Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Cera Microcristallina, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Mica, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Candelilla Wax Esters, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, CI 77891, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Methicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, CI 15985, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 15850, Ascorbic Acid, Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, BHT, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Rubus Idaeus Juice, Vitis Vinifera Juice
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 a high-molecular weight synthetic polymer. It is used to modify the viscosity of a formula, improve slip, and create a more "cushiony" texture.
Due to its large molecular size, this ingredient is not absorbed into the skin.
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 ButterDiisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
This is a synthetic polymer used to thicken formulas, improve texture, and enhance spreadability.
Due to its large molecule size, this ingredient does not penetrate the skin and is considered well-tolerated.
Glycerin (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 PolyisobutenePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateThis is a plant-derived ester that functions as a skin conditioner. It's basically a two linoleic acid molecules combined with fatty alcohols.
In practice, it works as a rich emollient that helps reduce moisture loss and give skin a soft appearance.
The phytosterol part of this ingredient brings an added structural bonus: phytosterols are structurally similar to cholesterol so they can fit right into the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to help reinforce the skin barrier.
Due to its larch molecular structure, this ingredient delivers a cushiony and glossy feeling without being excessively greasy.
It did not produce skin irritation or sensitization in clinical studies, and this ingredient is deemed safe to use in cosmetics at current practices.
Because this ingredient contains C16, C18, and C22 fatty chains, it may not be Malassezia/fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast potentially feeds on fatty acids in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer DilinoleateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterEuphorbia Cerifera Wax (aka candelilla wax) is a vegan stand-in for beeswax. It is a plant-derived wax that functions as an astringent, emulsion stabilizer, film-former, and skin conditioner.
On skin, it forms a protective barrier that helps lock in moisture while it enhances product stability, prevents separation, and helps color last longer in makeup.
This ingredient is generally safe for use in cosmetics with one nuance: some grades of candelilla wax can naturally contain benzyl alcohol at concentrations high enough to require declaration under EU labeling rules. This isn't a concern for most people but relevant for those with fragrance sensitivities.
Candelilla wax contains fatty acids (mainly C31) and wax esters that can be used by the Malassezia yeast, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might see Euphorbia Cerifera "Cera" instead of "wax". This is because some brands, databases, or labels use it interchangeably; they're the same ingredient.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
