What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin Palmitate/Ethylhexanoate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Water
Masking
Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBupleurum Chinense Root Extract
AstringentOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingHc Red No. 8
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Microcrystalline Wax, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dextrin Palmitate/Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Polyethylene, Dehydroacetic Acid, Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Water, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Bupleurum Chinense Root Extract, Ozokerite, Hc Red No. 8, CI 77491, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethylhexanoin, Titanium Dioxide, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Parfum
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolybutene
Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin
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 ButterGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated 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 PolyisobuteneTocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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 Acetate
