What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientDicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Stearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silica
Abrasive
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Wax, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Propylene Carbonate, Punica Granatum Extract, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mica, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Tin Oxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 45410, CI 42090
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Behenyl Behenate
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Tribehenin
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Tridecyl Trimellitate, Octyldodecanol, Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Behenyl Behenate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Hydrogenated Castor Oil (aka "castor wax") is what you get when castor oil is turned into a wax.
Its dominant fatty acid is ricinoleic acid, giving it both emollient and mild humectant properties.
According to EU CosIng, this ingredient helps soften skin, keep oil and water stay mixed, and thickens products.
Hydrogenated castor oil at 30% did not trigger a positive patch-test reaction and is well-tolerated.
Since this ingredient is based on an 18-carbon fatty acid, it falls into the chain-length range that Malassezia can feed on and may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Castor OilOctyldodecanol 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.
Pentaerythrityl 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 ingredient is also known as castor oil. It is a skin conditioning ingredient.
The star component of castor oil is ricinoleic acid, an unusual fatty acid that makes up ~80-92% of its composition.
In skincare, it is an emollient that dries down to a solid film with water-binding properties. This helps keep skin hydrated and helps reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
A 2026 dermatology review pulls together its broader uses:
Human clinical testing found this ingredient to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Because castor oil contains fatty acids in the C11-24 range, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
At this time, the literature does not support castor oil in regrowing hair. A 2022 systematic review found no strong evidence that it supports hair growth and only weak evidence that it improves hair shine.
Castor oil itself carries "perfuming" and "masking" function tags according to the official CosIng database. This is because of its mild odor and odor-dampening properties.
Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed OilSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
