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
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingMyristic Acid
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Petrolatum, Paraffinum Liquidum, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid
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 ButterCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPetrolatum 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 is fungal acne safe. It is a hydrocarbon with no fatty acid structure, so Malassezia cannot metabolize it. In-vitro studies support negligible growth stimulation as well.
It's also 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.
Learn more about PetrolatumTocopheryl 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