What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Flower
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Kojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Polyurethane-79
Tocotrienols
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sucralose
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Helianthus Annuus Flower, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Kojic Dipalmitate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Polyurethane-79, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Glycol, Sucralose, Lecithin
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Squalane
Emollient
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dextrin Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Synthetic Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Squalane, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Dehydroacetic Acid, Glycine Soja Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Oligopeptide-1, Geraniol, Citronellol
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 ButterCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideHydrogenated 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 PolyisobutenePunica Granatum Seed Oil is created from the seeds of the pomegranate. Pomegranate seed oil helps hydrate the skin, is anti-inflammatory, and contains antioxidants.
Pomegranates are rich in fatty acids, including an unsaturated fatty acid by the name of Punicic acid. Other components of pomegranates include Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and bioactive lipids such as phytosterols, phospholipids, and triterpenes. Punicic acid helps soothe inflammation.
As an emollient, pomegranate oil creates a thin film on the skin. This film helps prevent moisture loss, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Punica Granatum Seed OilTocopherol 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
