What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octyldodecanol, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Synthetic Wax, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Microcrystalline Wax, Dehydroacetic Acid, Water, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Dna, Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-9
Polyisobutene
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Petrolatum
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Collagen
Moisturising
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hexapeptide-2
Bleaching
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Hizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningBiotin
Antiseborrhoeic1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Dibutyl Adipate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Petrolatum, Dipropylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Adenosine, Glycerin, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Collagen Extract, Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hexapeptide-2, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Cyanocobalamin, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Niacinamide, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Water, Biotin, 1,2-Hexanediol
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, commonly known as Argireline or Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, is a popular peptide in skincare. Itās often referred to as a āBotox-likeā ingredient because it helps reduce muscle movement.
By relaxing these micro-movements, Argireline may help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. That said, itās not as powerful as Botox, and research on its long-term effectiveness is still limited.
Beyond smoothing, Argireline may also support collagen production. Collagen is the protein that helps keep your skin firm, bouncy, and well-hydrated by strengthening the skin barrier.
So while Argireline isnāt a miracle fix, it can be a helpful addition to a routine focused on both prevention and skin health.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Butylene 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 ButterCaprylyl 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 GlycolDiisostearyl 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 GlycerinMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
Jojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSorbitan Sesquioleate is derived from sorbitol and oleic acid. It is an emulsifier and prevents ingredients from separating.
Specifically, this ingredient is a water-in-oil emulsifier, meaning it helps water dissolve into oil.
Some studies suggest this ingredient may cause irritation in some people. If you are unsure, it is best to patch test.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan SesquioleateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterEuphorbia Cerifera wax comes from a shrub in Northern Mexico. It is used to stabilize formulations and has emollient properties.
Emollients form a thin layer on top of skin to prevent water from evaporating, keeping skin and lips hydrated.
According to a manufacturer, this wax can range from a yellow/brown color to translucent.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
