What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Petrolatum
Emollient
Polybutene
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
PPG-51/Smdi Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Petrolatum, Polybutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Silica, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-51/Smdi Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sea Whip Extract, Ceramide Ng, Cholesterol, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, C12-16 Alcohols, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin
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 ButterTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
