What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Tocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSoluble Collagen
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingSantalum Album Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Synthetic Beeswax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Water, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Soluble Collagen, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Santalum Album Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral
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
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
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 ButterCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange and is primarily used as a fragrance. It has a "fresh" and "bright orange" scent.
The main aroma compounds found in this ingredient are limonene (~27-52%), linalool (~2-22%), and linalyl acetate (~27-40%). These are known EU fragrance allergens.
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.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to the furanocoumarin content. Furanocoumarins absorb UV-A and cause phytophotodermatitis; this can look like redness, blistering, and lasting brown pigmentation on sun-exposed skin.
Due to this, this ingredient is capped at 0.4% in leave-on products applied to sun exposed skin.
Many modern formulas used a "furanocoumarin-free" version that sidesteps the phototoxicity issue, but still contains the fragrance allergens.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
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 Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilMandarin peel oil is an essential oil made by distilling the peel of mandarin oranges. It is primarily used for fragrance but has some secondary skin conditioning effects.
This ingredient is rich in limonene and is generally considered milder than some other citrus oils (like lemon or bergamot). It is not strongly phototoxic because it contains little to no furocoumarins when properly produced.
Like other essential oils, this ingredient can be a fragrance allergen.
Learn more about Citrus Nobilis Peel OilThis 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateHydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Limonene 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 LimoneneThis ingredient is also known as buriti fruit oil. Like other oils, it has skin hydrating properties.
It may not be fungal acne safe.
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.
Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
Besides hydrating the skin, castor oil is also used to hydrate hair. By keeping the hair shaft moisturized, breakage is decreased. More studies are needed to show castor oil's effective on stimulating hair growth.
Castor oil is created by cold-pressing castor seeds and then purifying the oil with heat. It was used in Ancient Egypt as fuel in lamps and to help treat eye irritation.
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 Ricinus Communis Seed OilThis silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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