What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Kojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
BHT
Antioxidant
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Jojoba Esters, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, 2,3-Butanediol, Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Kojic Dipalmitate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Oryza Sativa Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Maltodextrin, BHT
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil
Emollient
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Seed Oil
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Portulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ethyl Vanillin
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Synthetic Beeswax, Dextrin Palmitate, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Phytosterols, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Ubiquinone, Ferulic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Sucrose Cocoate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Glyceryl Stearate, Allantoin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ethyl Vanillin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipropylene Glycol, CI 77891, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, CI 77491, CI 77492
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ceramide AP is is a skin-identical lipid that mimics what your skin already makes naturally. Ceramides help maintain epidermal integrity and barrier function.
You'll often see this ingredient paired with other ceramides (like ceramide NP), cholesterol, or fatty acids because this combination best mimics the natural lipid mix your skin already has.
The skin's ability to produce ceramides gets disrupted in skin conditions like eczema. This in turn weakens the skin barrier and applying ceramides topically has been shown to replenish what's been lost to restore barrier function.
Most of the studies with Ceramide AP test it as part of a multi-ceramide complex; studies reinforce ceramide AP's role in rebalancing ceramides in skin and improving skin hydration.
Learn more about Ceramide APCeramide AS is formally known as Ceramides 4 and 5.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramide EOP is formally known as Ceramide 1.
It is naturally found in skin and part of the intercellular "mortar" holding everything together in your outermost layer.
EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.
What makes Ceramide EOP special is its ultra-long fatty acid chain; this unique structure allows it to bridge the lipid layers in your skin barrier to prevent water loss (something no other ceramide can do).
Low levels of Ceramide EOP have been found in people with eczema and psoriasis.
Using it together with other ceramides, cholesterol, and linoleic acid have been shown to meaningfully improve hydration and reduce water loss.
In one clinical study, a regimen using Ceramide EOP, NP, and AP led to significant symptom improvements in patients with eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin in just 4 weeks.
You'll usually see concentrations between 0.1-0.5% in formulations. Overall, this is a well-tolerated and safe ingredient for cosmetic use.
Learn more about Ceramide EOPCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCeramide NS is formally known as Ceramide 2. It is one of the major ceramides in the stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin) plays a role in forming a protective barrier.
Due to its structure, skin lipids can be packed tightly and in turn, this strengthens the barrier and reduces water loss.
Studies show conditions like atopic dermatitis can worsen when ceramide NS levels are low.
Learn more about Ceramide NsDiisostearyl 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.
Glyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydrogenated 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 PolyisobutenePalmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.
By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
