What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientJojoba Esters
Emollient
Cera Alba
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Punica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingPaeonia Officinalis Flower Extract
TonicSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Jojoba Esters, Cera Alba, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Parfum, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, CI 77220, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Trihydroxystearin, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan
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 ButterOctyldodecanol 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.
Jojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis 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
