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
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolybutene
C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters
Emulsifying
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyethylene
Abrasive
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
Emollient
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Vanillin
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Isononyl Isononanoate, Polybutene, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyethylene, Isostearyl Isostearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Parfum, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Vanillin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Trihydroxystearin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Limonene, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool
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 ButterCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralDiisostearyl 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.
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 PolyisobuteneLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentaerythrityl 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 HydroxyhydrocinnamatePolybutene is used to help control the viscosity of a product. This just means it helps adjusts the texture.
It is a polymer and does not get absorbed into the skin due to its large size.
Studies found this ingredient did not irritate skin in concentrations below 15%.
Learn more about PolybutenePolyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
