What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyisobutene
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberOctyldodecanol
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Dibehenate
EmollientSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingTribehenin
EmollientGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Carbonate
SolventCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Paraffinum Liquidum, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Squalane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Octyldodecanol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, CI 77891, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Synthetic Beeswax, Parfum, Tribehenin, Glyceryl Behenate, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, CI 45410, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, CI 77491, CI 77492, Propylene Carbonate, CI 77499, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolybutene
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropylene Carbonate
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantRosin
BHT
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cera Microcristallina, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Mica, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol, Rosin, BHT, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum, Limonene, CI 19140, CI 15850, CI 77891, CI 45410
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 ButterCI 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye.
It often goes by both Red 28 or Red 27; manufacturers label both ingredients as CI 45410.
This dye is commonly found in makeup because it imparts a vivid color. Some types of this dye change color based on pH level and interaction with moisture:
Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5 - 5.5.
According to the FDA, CI 45410 is not permitted for use in eye products.
Red 27 is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.
Learn more about CI 45410Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Octyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Parfum 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 ParfumThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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 Tocopherol