What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPetrolatum
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialVp/Va Copolymer
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Stearic Acid
CleansingOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantStearyl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alcohols
EmollientPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Petrolatum, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Vp/Va Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Stearic Acid, Ozokerite, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Steareth-21, Glycerin, Stearyl Stearate, Dimethicone, Parfum, Stearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, C12-15 Alcohols, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Caprylyl Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-90
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantParaffin
PerfumingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBentonite
AbsorbentPvp
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentasodium Triphosphate
BufferingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantMaltitol
HumectantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientParfum
MaskingCetyl Caprate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraoleate
EmollientCI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientAroma
Polyquaternium-11
Isopentyldiol
HumectantMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePetrolatum
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingKaolin
AbrasiveDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPEG-250 Distearate
CleansingPotassium Hydroxycitrate
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientPolypropylene
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Diglycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingCyclomethicone
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCeteth-20
CleansingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentPEG-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Water, CI 60730, PEG-90, Sodium Benzoate, Blue 1 Lake, Paraffin, Panthenol, Bentonite, Pvp, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentasodium Triphosphate, Sorbitan Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Synthetic Wax, Glycerin, Maltitol, CI 17200, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Parfum, Cetyl Caprate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraoleate, CI 15510, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Aroma, Polyquaternium-11, Isopentyldiol, Microcrystalline Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Petrolatum, Citric Acid, Kaolin, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Alcohol Denat., PEG-250 Distearate, Potassium Hydroxycitrate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Polypropylene, CI 15985, Beeswax, Disodium EDTA, Diglycerin, Stearic Acid, Cyclomethicone, Carbomer, Polysorbate 60, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ceteth-20, Disodium Phosphate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, PEG-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCopernicia Cerifera Wax comes from a palm tree native to Brazil; another name for this ingredient is Carnauba Wax.
This ingredient is used to thicken texture and also leaves behind a film when applied.
Fun fact: This wax has the highest melting point of all natural waxes and low solubility.
Learn more about Copernicia Cerifera WaxDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumPetrolatum 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, itās 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 didnāt promote comedone formation in standard models.
Fungal acne isnāt about comedogenic ratings. Itās 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.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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