Kimuse Cosmetics Hydrating Multi Balm Stick Versus KAHI Wrinkle Bounce Moisturizing Multi Balm Stick
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil and Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Adenosine to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Seed Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Candida/Garcinia Cambogia Ferment
Oryza Sativa Germ Oil
Emollient
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCanola Oil
Emollient
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSoluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningSodium DNA
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Pyrus Malus Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline Wax, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Candida/Garcinia Cambogia Ferment, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Canola Oil, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Tocopherol, Adenosine, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beta-Carotene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Soluble Proteoglycan, Sodium DNA, BHT, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 ButterMicrocrystalline 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.
Octyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Tocopheryl 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
