What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Petrolatum
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingBeeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
Buffering
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Saccharin
MaskingCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOrchid Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Sudachi Fruit Extract
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Petrolatum, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Microcrystalline Wax, Beeswax, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Silica Silylate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isostearic Acid, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, CI 77491, CI 45410, Citric Acid, CI 77891, Mentha Piperita Oil, CI 15985, Sodium Saccharin, CI 15850, CI 77492, Tocopherol, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Orchid Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Citrus Sudachi Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C20-40 Alkyl Stearate
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Petrolatum, Myristyl Myristate, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Cetearyl Alcohol, C20-40 Alkyl Stearate, Beeswax, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Beeswax is natural wax produced by honey bees to build their honeycomb.
Because it forms a protective layer on your skin, it can help lock in moisture and reduce water loss. It is also widely used as a thickener and emulsifier in lip balms and lotions. Research suggests beeswax containing moisturizers can support skin barrier integrity.
In comedogenic testing, Beeswax scored a 0-2, which is on the low end. Whether or not a product clogs your pores really comes down to the formula as a whole (not any single ingredient on its own).
Cera Alba is the white, bleached form of this ingredient.
Just so you know, beeswax is not vegan since it is animal-derived. It cannot be removed with water, but can be taken off with an oil cleanser.
People with a known Propolis allergy also report to have reactions from beeswax.
Learn more about BeeswaxCaprylic/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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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.
Petrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.
This ingredient is effective at reducing water loss by 99%. This is because it is an occlusive. Occlusives create a hydrophobic barrier on the skin to prevent evaporation. This property makes it great for hydrating dry skin.
Pro tip: Use occlusives, such as this ingredient, on damp skin for the best results.
The quality or origin of petrolatum is only known when disclosed by the brand. Most cosmetic petrolatum has gone through several purification stages.
Another benefit of occlusives is it protects your skin against infection or allergies.
Petrolatum is fungal acne safe. It is a hydrocarbon with no fatty acid structure, so Malassezia cannot metabolize it. In-vitro studies support negligible growth stimulation as well.
It's also worth noting that petrolatum has a comedogenic rating of 0. In updated rabbit ear testing (and in human testing), petrolatum was found to be not comedogenic. This means it didn’t promote comedone formation in standard models.
Learn more about PetrolatumTocopheryl 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 Water
