What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingDimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Limonene
Perfuming
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Linalool
Perfuming
Trehalose
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Citral
Perfuming
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Dextrin Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyethylene, Glycerin, Beeswax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Triethylhexanoin, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ozokerite, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Limonene, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Parfum, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Linalool, Trehalose, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Citral, Water, Butylene Glycol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, BHT
Petrolatum
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Honey Extract
Humectant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBixa Orellana Seed Oil
Emollient
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Honey
Humectant
Petrolatum, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Microcrystalline Wax, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Beeswax, Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Honey Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Royal Jelly Extract, Glycerin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Propolis Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Honey
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Beeswax is natural wax produced by honey bees to build their honeycomb.
Because it forms a protective layer on your skin, it can help lock in moisture and reduce water loss. It is also widely used as a thickener and emulsifier in lip balms and lotions. Research suggests beeswax containing moisturizers can support skin barrier integrity.
In comedogenic testing, Beeswax scored a 0-2, which is on the low end. Whether or not a product clogs your pores really comes down to the formula as a whole (not any single ingredient on its own).
Cera Alba is the white, bleached form of this ingredient.
Just so you know, beeswax is not vegan since it is animal-derived. It cannot be removed with water, but can be taken off with an oil cleanser.
People with a known Propolis allergy also report to have reactions from beeswax.
Beeswax's wax esters are derived primarily from palmitic and oleic acid (C16 and C18:1). Both of these fall within the C11-C24 feeding window.
The Malassezia yeast can potentially cleave these esters and release usable fatty acids, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. However, not everyone will react to this ingredient.
Learn more about BeeswaxButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 ButterDiisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
This 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.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated 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 PolyisobuteneMicrocrystalline 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.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateThis is a plant-derived ester that functions as a skin conditioner. It's basically a two linoleic acid molecules combined with fatty alcohols.
In practice, it works as a rich emollient that helps reduce moisture loss and give skin a soft appearance.
The phytosterol part of this ingredient brings an added structural bonus: phytosterols are structurally similar to cholesterol so they can fit right into the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to help reinforce the skin barrier.
Due to its molecular structure, this ingredient delivers a cushiony and glossy feeling without being excessively greasy.
It did not produce skin irritation or sensitization in clinical studies, and this ingredient is deemed safe to use in cosmetics at current practices.
Because this ingredient contains C16, C18, and C22 fatty chains, it may not be Malassezia/fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast potentially feeds on fatty acids in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer DilinoleateWater. 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
