What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
EmollientSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingPetrolatum
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingAroma
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientStevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCitric Acid
BufferingOctyldodecanol, Synthetic Beeswax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Petrolatum, Beeswax, Aroma, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Oleate, Polyglycerin-3, Phytosterols, Silica, Citric Acid
Petrolatum
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-10 Heptahydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningPolydecene
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientCocos Nucifera Liquid Endosperm
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingYogurt Powder
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientMeteorite Powder
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Silica
AbrasiveSaccharin
MaskingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantPetrolatum, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyldodecanol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Synthetic Wax, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Heptahydroxystearate, Polydecene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Cocos Nucifera Liquid Endosperm, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Yogurt Powder, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycerin, Phytosterols, Menthol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Meteorite Powder, Cholesterol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sorbitan Oleate, Water, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Silica, Saccharin, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Limonene, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77163, CI 42090, CI 15850, CI 45380, CI 45410, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 15985
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 lipid-based synthetic skin-conditioning agent derived from adipic acid and a mixture of fatty acids. It is often called a lanolin substitute.
As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate the skin. Emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Due to its fatty acid base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2This 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.
This ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilPersea Gratissima Oil is also known as avocado oil.
Avocado Oil has antioxidant properties. It is mostly made up of the glycerides of fatty acids. About 67% of these fatty acids is made up of oleic acid. Palmitic acid and linoleic acid are also present.
These fatty acids help hydrate and soften the skin. It may increase collagen content in the skin. Collagen helps keep your skin plump and firm. This ingredient helps reduce inflammation and has not shown to clog pores.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe due to its high fatty acid content.
Avocados also have B vitamins, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, and potassium.
Learn more about Persea Gratissima OilPetrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.
This ingredient is effective at reducing water loss by 99%. This is because it is an occlusive. Occlusives create a hydrophobic barrier on the skin to prevent evaporation. This property makes it great for hydrating dry skin.
Pro tip: Use occlusives, such as this ingredient, on damp skin for the best results.
The quality or origin of petrolatum is only known when disclosed by the brand. Most cosmetic petrolatum has gone through several purification stages.
Another benefit of occlusives is it protects your skin against infection or allergies.
Petrolatum may not be safe for fungal-acne. Studies show mineral oil / petroleum leads to the growth of M. Furfur, a type of yeast.
However, it’s worth noting that petrolatum has a comedogenic rating of 0. In updated rabbit ear testing (and in human testing), petrolatum was found to be not comedogenic. This means it didn’t promote comedone formation in standard models.
Fungal acne isn’t about comedogenic ratings. It’s more about whether certain ingredients can feed the yeast on your skin, which can trigger those breakouts.
Learn more about PetrolatumPhytosterols are plant-derived sterols (you can think of them as the plant world's version of cholesterol). In cosmetics, this ingredient is usually sourced from soybean, rice bran, shea, sunflower, and other seed oils.
The main actors in this group are β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol (the CIR covers 27 phytosterols).
They work by fitting perfectly into your stratum corneum's lipid matrix since they're structurally similar to cholesterol. Here, they reinforce your skin's barrier.
One small in vivo human study showed topical soybean phytosterols sped up barrier recovery within three days on tape-stripped skin.
Broader research credits them with:
Formulation use typically sit under 5%.
Testing in soy-allergic subjects found no sensitization signals, but be sure to patch test if you are unsure or have existing allergies.
Learn more about PhytosterolsRicinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.
Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
Besides hydrating the skin, castor oil is also used to hydrate hair. By keeping the hair shaft moisturized, breakage is decreased. More studies are needed to show castor oil's effective on stimulating hair growth.
Castor oil is created by cold-pressing castor seeds and then purifying the oil with heat. It was used in Ancient Egypt as fuel in lamps and to help treat eye irritation.
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 Ricinus Communis Seed OilSilica, 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 SilicaSorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol.
It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together, such as oils and water.
According to a manufacturer, the ingredient Sorbitan Monooleate shares an INCI name with this one.
Sorbitan Oleate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also worsen oily skin.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate