What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolybutene
C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters
EmulsifyingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientRhus Verniciflua Peel Wax
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningSucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
EmollientRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientVanillin
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingIsononyl 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
Octyldodecanol
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCera Alba
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveEthylcellulose
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientParfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTribehenin
EmollientAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol, Diisostearyl Malate, Cera Alba, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Silica, Ethylcellulose, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Parfum, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tribehenin, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Ceramide NP, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Trihydroxystearin, Lactic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, CI 15850, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Glucomannan
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Ammonium Glycyrrhizate yet.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateThis 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.
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 a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateParfum 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 ParfumSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolThis ingredient comes from Hydroxystearic Acid, a fatty acid, and glycerin. It is used to thicken oils.
Due to its fatty acid content, it is a natural emollient.
Creating trihydroxystearin involves using a chemical reaction between hydrogen and castor oil.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Trihydroxystearin