What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate
Perfuming
Polyphenylsilsesquioxane
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingMoringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tribehenin
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingLactic Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Aroma
Linalool
Perfuming
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Vanillin
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
Abrasive
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Polyphenylsilsesquioxane, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Synthetic Wax, Silica Silylate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Microcrystalline Wax, Moringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters, Isostearyl Alcohol, Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Propylene Carbonate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Aroma, Linalool, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Linalyl Acetate, Vanillin, Silica, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Mica, Tin Oxide, Iron Oxides, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI 45410, CI 19140, CI 15985, CI 42090
Polybutene
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTribehenin
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Cetylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
Emulsifying
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Pyruvic Acid
MaskingLactic Acid
Buffering
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialAcetic Acid
BufferingPolybutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Tribehenin, Microcrystalline Wax, Sorbitan Isostearate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Silica Silylate, Allantoin, Water, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Pyridoxine Hcl, Adenosine, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Dna, Pyruvic Acid, Lactic Acid, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Acetic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This extract comes from the Roselle flower, or Hibiscus Sabdariffa. Roselle flowers are rich in antioxidants.
Studies found the antioxidants in Roselle flowers to potentially help reduce UV-B damage.
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 PolyisobuteneLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the product’s pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidMicrocrystalline 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.
Silica Silylate is a siloxane polymer, meaning it is made up of silicon and oxygen atoms. It is not soluble in water.
This ingredient is a white powder with oil-absorbing, emollient, and anticaking properties.
Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTribehenin is the triglyceride of glycerin and behenic acid. It is an emollient that helps soften and condition skin.
Safety-wise, this is a well-vetted ingredient. Repeated-insult patch tests of 0.38% tribehenin did not trigger sensitization.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because behenic acid falls into the chain-length range that Malassezia yeasts can feed on.
Learn more about TribeheninVP/Hexadecene Copolymer is a synthetic film-forming agent. It has both water and oil loving properties, allowing it to create a flexible, even film on the skin.
This ingredient helps enhance texture, smoothness, and wear resistance in makeup products while reducing tackiness.
Water. 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
