What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Polybutene
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
BHT
Antioxidant
Aroma
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Paraffinum Liquidum, Diisostearyl Malate, Microcrystalline Wax, Squalane, Polybutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethylhexanoin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, CI 77891, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, CI 19140, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Octocrylene, BHT, Aroma, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylcellulose
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-6 Stearate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates Copolymer
Polyacrylate-13
Ceteth-20
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyisobutene
Steareth-20
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Phytate
Squalane
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, Water, Ethylcellulose, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-6 Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyacrylate-13, Ceteth-20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyisobutene, Steareth-20, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Phytate, Squalane, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, CI 77891, CI 15985, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 42090
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 ButterCaprylic/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 ingredientās 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateSqualane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, itās technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term āoil-freeā isnāt regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about Squalane
