What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Paraffinum Liquidum
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningParaffin
PerfumingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantXylitol
HumectantVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHoney Extract
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSolanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Paradisi Seed Oil
PerfumingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingParaffinum Liquidum, Petrolatum, Microcrystalline Wax, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Paraffin, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Beeswax, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Water, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Glycerin, Xylitol, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Honey Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Propylene Glycol, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Polysorbate 80, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Ubiquinone, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Ceteareth-20, Ceramide NP, Tocopheryl Acetate, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Phytosphingosine, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Citrus Paradisi Seed Oil, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Propolis Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene
Petrolatum
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingMenthol
MaskingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSoluble Collagen
HumectantPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Paradisi Seed Oil
PerfumingMangifera Indica Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientSolanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientPrunella Vulgaris Extract
AntioxidantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHoney Extract
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentLimonene
PerfumingPetrolatum, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Menthol, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Soluble Collagen, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Citrus Paradisi Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Extract, Diisostearyl Malate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Honey Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citric Acid, Phytosterols, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 73360, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Butylene 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 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 ButterThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitrus Paradisi Seed Oil is a fragrance, is an oil, and isn't fungal acne safe.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateDiisostearyl 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient comes from honey made by bees. It is hydrating, antibacterial, anti-aging, and skin soothing.
Honey also contains amino acids, peptides, Vitamins A, C, and E.
The humectant property of honey draws moisture from the air to your skin. This makes it great at helping to hydrate the skin.
Honey may help reduce the signs of aging due to its antioxidant properties. Fun fact: darker honey has more antioxidants than light honey. The antibacterial property of honey may make it effective at helping to treat acne by killing acne-causing bacteria.
Many people wonder if honey extract is vegan. It is technically a byproduct from bees. This is because honey is created from the digestive enzymes in a bee's stomach.
Remember to be kind to bees :) They are important for many ecosystems and are endangered.
Learn more about Honey ExtractHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinLimonene 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 LimoneneMangifera Indica Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
This ingredient is also called spearmint oil. It contains carvone (41-79%), limonene (10-22%), and small amounts of other monoterpenes depending on where it's grown.
In cosmetics, this ingredient mostly acts as a fragrancing/masking ingredient and mild astringent.
Lab studies show carvone to have antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, but it is a recognized fragrance allergen. Carvone is a mild skin sensitizer while limonene is a well-known one.
In a 21-year retrospective from a Swedish patch test clinic, 3.5% of patients tested positive for sensitive towards carvone.
Learn more about Mentha Viridis Leaf OilPetrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.
This ingredient is effective at reducing water loss by 99%. This is because it is an occlusive. Occlusives create a hydrophobic barrier on the skin to prevent evaporation. This property makes it great for hydrating dry skin.
Pro tip: Use occlusives, such as this ingredient, on damp skin for the best results.
The quality or origin of petrolatum is only known when disclosed by the brand. Most cosmetic petrolatum has gone through several purification stages.
Another benefit of occlusives is it protects your skin against infection or allergies.
Petrolatum may not be safe for fungal-acne. Studies show mineral oil / petroleum leads to the growth of M. Furfur, a type of yeast.
However, it’s worth noting that petrolatum has a comedogenic rating of 0. In updated rabbit ear testing (and in human testing), petrolatum was found to be not comedogenic. This means it didn’t promote comedone formation in standard models.
Fungal acne isn’t about comedogenic ratings. It’s more about whether certain ingredients can feed the yeast on your skin, which can trigger those breakouts.
Learn more about PetrolatumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
This ingredient is the oil from the apricot.
Apricot Kernel Oil is an emollient and helps soften skin. This is due to its fatty acid components. Some of these fatty acids include linoleic and oleic acid.
This ingredient also has antioxidant properties from Vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Besides being antioxidants, these vitamins provide plenty of skin benefits as well.
Learn more about Prunus Armeniaca Kernel OilYou might know this ingredient as pomegranate fruit. It has been shown to have antioxidant, skin soothing and anti-aging benefits.
Pomegranates are rich in antioxidant compounds such as polyphenolic compounds such as ellagic acid, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids.
Both in-vivo and in-vitro studies show pomegranate fruit helps with:
These benefits offer skin anti-aging and skin soothing benefits.
Fun fact: The name pomegranate comes from two latin words: "pome" or apple, and "granate" or "many seeded".
Pomegranate flower extract is often confused for pomegranate fruit extract, but comes from the flowers of the tree.
Learn more about Punica Granatum Fruit ExtractPunica Granatum Seed Oil is created from the seeds of the pomegranate. Pomegranate seed oil helps hydrate the skin, is anti-inflammatory, and contains antioxidants.
Pomegranates are rich in fatty acids, including an unsaturated fatty acid by the name of Punicic acid. Other components of pomegranates include Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and bioactive lipids such as phytosterols, phospholipids, and triterpenes. Punicic acid helps soothe inflammation.
As an emollient, pomegranate oil creates a thin film on the skin. This film helps prevent moisture loss, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Punica Granatum Seed OilSolanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolVitis Vinifera Seed Oil comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.
The components of grape seeds have many skin benefits. Research has found it to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Proanthocyanidin has been shown to help even out skin tone.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. Grape seed extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
The antimicrobial properties of grape seed may help treat acne. However, more research is needed to support this claim.
Grape seed has also been found to help absorb UV rays. Grape seed extract should not replace your sunscreen.
The fatty acids of grape seed oil give it emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin by creating a film. This film traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Seed OilWater. 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