What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningNicotinamide Mononucleotide
AntioxidantEctoin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantDiisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Water, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Dipropylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Phosphatidylcholine, Glycolipids, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Ectoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Soymilk Protein
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Petrolatum, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glycerin, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Water, Ceramide NP, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Soymilk Protein, Niacinamide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pyridoxine, Biotin, Tocopherol, Cyanocobalamin, Thiamine Hcl, Beta-Carotene, Riboflavin
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
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 ButterCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydrogenated 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 PolyisobutenePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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 Water