What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Polyisobutene
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Alumina
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Triethylhexanoin, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cera Microcristallina, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Alumina, Citric Acid, Parfum, CI 77891
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantIsostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Aroma
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
Emollient
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Saccharin
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Limonene
Perfuming
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Cera Microcristallina, Mica, Isostearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aroma, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Tribehenin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Saccharin, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Limonene, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, CI 77891, CI 15850
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 a high-molecular weight synthetic polymer. It is used to modify the viscosity of a formula, improve slip, and create a more "cushiony" texture.
Due to its large molecular size, this ingredient is not absorbed into the skin.
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 ButterCera Microcristallina, aka microcrystalline wax, is a petroleum-derived wax that helps thicken texture and stabilize the oils in formulas.
It also has mild occlusive properties that creates a film on skin to slow down water loss.
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
This ingredient is refined to a cosmetic grade with high purity. It is chemically inert, stable, and doesn't clog pores (petroleum has a comedogenic rating of 0).
Malassezia feeds on fatty acids roughly in the C11-24 range and this ingredient contains none of those. Since there's no plausible food source for it here, this ingredient is fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cera MicrocristallinaCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891This is a synthetic polymer used to thicken formulas, improve texture, and enhance spreadability.
Due to its large molecule size, this ingredient does not penetrate the skin and is considered well-tolerated.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateHydrogenated 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 PolyisobuteneTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
