What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polyisobutene
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSilica
AbrasiveTribehenin
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingCaviar Extract
Skin ConditioningAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCollagen
MoisturisingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Diisostearyl Malate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polyisobutene, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Silica, Tribehenin, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Tocopherol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Caviar Extract, Astaxanthin, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Bakuchiol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Water, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Propanediol, Collagen, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Linalool, Limonene
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Synthetic Wax
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveBisabolol
AntioxidantCedrol
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingIsostearic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCetyl Ethylhexanoate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Silica, Ceresin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Bisabolol, Cedrol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Isostearic Acid, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77891, Mica, CI 77491, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 ButterEthylene/Propylene Copolymer is an exfoliant.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil is a lightweight oil from the seeds of the Moringa oleifera tree. In cosmetics, it's an emollient that forms a light film to slow water loss and soften skin.
Its fatty acid composition is dominated by oleic acid (70-78%), with smaller amounts of behenic, palmitic, and stearic acids (this profile is actually pretty similar to olive oil).
Notably, this ingredient is oxidatively stable for an oil and resists going rancid as fast as other oils.
A small, in vivo study on 32 participants found a cream with this ingredient increased skin hydration with no reported skin irritation. It also found the tocopherol content gave it some antioxidant activity as well.
One thing to flag for fungal acne:
Because this oil is so high in oleic acid, Malassezia can use it as a food source and this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
For everyone else, this ingredient is well-tolerated and nourishing with a good safety track record.
Learn more about Moringa Oleifera Seed OilPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSynthetic 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 WaxTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolThis ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
It’s a white silicone powder that sits in fine lines and pores to blur their appearance though its effectiveness depends on the particle size.
You'll typically find this ingredient in amounts between 0.1-20%.
Learn more about Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer