What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Triacontanyl Pvp, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopheryl Acetate
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolybutene
Phytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Candelilla Wax Esters
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Methicone
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Diisostearyl Malate, Polybutene, Phytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Cera Microcristallina, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Synthetic Wax, Mica, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Parfum, Candelilla Wax Esters, CI 77891, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Dimethicone, Dehydroacetic Acid, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Methicone, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, CI 15850, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 42090, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, BHT
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 ButterDiisostearyl 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.
Hydrogenated 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 PolyisobutenePolybutene is used to help control the viscosity of a product. This just means it helps adjusts the texture.
It is a polymer and does not get absorbed into the skin due to its large size.
Studies found this ingredient did not irritate skin in concentrations below 15%.
Learn more about PolybutenePolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxEuphorbia Cerifera Wax (aka candelilla wax) is a vegan stand-in for beeswax. It is a plant-derived wax that functions as an astringent, emulsion stabilizer, film-former, and skin conditioner.
On skin, it forms a protective barrier that helps lock in moisture while it enhances product stability, prevents separation, and helps color last longer in makeup.
This ingredient is generally safe for use in cosmetics with one nuance: some grades of candelilla wax can naturally contain benzyl alcohol at concentrations high enough to require declaration under EU labeling rules. This isn't a concern for most people but relevant for those with fragrance sensitivities.
Candelilla wax contains fatty acids (mainly C31) and wax esters that can be used by the Malassezia yeast, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might see Euphorbia Cerifera "Cera" instead of "wax". This is because some brands, databases, or labels use it interchangeably; they're the same ingredient.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
