What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolybutene
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Candelilla Wax Esters
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientMethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventBHT
AntioxidantPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingRubus Idaeus Juice
AstringentVitis Vinifera Juice
AntioxidantDiisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polybutene, Cera Microcristallina, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Mica, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Candelilla Wax Esters, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, CI 77891, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Methicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, CI 15985, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 15850, Ascorbic Acid, Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, BHT, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Rubus Idaeus Juice, Vitis Vinifera Juice
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 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.
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 PolyisobutenePhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate is an emollient ester.
As an emollient, it softens and hydrates your skin by locking moisture in. Its large, branched structure gives it a thick, cushiony feel without being greasy. This is why it shows up most often in lip balms, lipsticks, and other stick or balm formulas, where it adds gloss and helps hold waxes and pigments together.
The phytosterol portion is a nice extra. Phytosterols are plant-based lipids that are structurally similar to ones found naturally in skin, so they can help support the skin barrier.
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. If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
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