What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Nylon-12
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Aroma
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Menthol 0.625%
Masking
Camphor 0.5%
Masking
Allantoin 0.5%
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecanol, Nylon-12, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Aroma, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Polyglycerin-3, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Limonene, Menthol 0.625%, Camphor 0.5%, Allantoin 0.5%
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentTribehenin
Emollient
Acetylated Sucrose Distearate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Tribehenin, Acetylated Sucrose Distearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Water, Limonene
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 ButterHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax is created from the common sunflower.
Sunflower seed wax is made up of long chain non-glyceride esters, a small amount of fatty alcohols, and fatty acids.
This ingredient is often used to enhance the texture of products. The fatty acid properties also help hydrate the skin.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed WaxLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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 LimoneneOctyldodecanol 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.
Ricinus 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 Oil
