What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Vanillin
Masking
Rose Ketone-4
Perfuming
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Diisostearyl Malate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Octyldodecanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Parfum, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glyceryl Behenate, Propylene Carbonate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vanillin, Rose Ketone-4, CI 17200, CI 77491, CI 42090, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolybutene
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingAroma
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Microcrystalline Wax, Aroma, Synthetic Wax, Mica, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Squalane, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, CI 15850, Blue 1 Lake, CI 19140
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 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.
Hydrogenated 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 PolyisobuteneMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Synthetic 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.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
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 Tocopherol
