What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isododecane
EmollientCera Alba
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Allyl Stearate/Va Copolymer
Oryza Sativa Cera
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Paraffin
Skin Conditioning
Polyvinyl Laurate
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTalc
Abrasive
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Ethylenediamine/Stearyl Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
PEG-30 Glyceryl Stearate
Emulsifying
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane, Cera Alba, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Water, Alcohol Denat., Allyl Stearate/Va Copolymer, Oryza Sativa Cera, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Paraffin, Polyvinyl Laurate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Talc, Synthetic Beeswax, Ethylenediamine/Stearyl Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, PEG-30 Glyceryl Stearate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffin
Skin Conditioning
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Cera Alba
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Polymethacrylate
Emulsion StabilisingMethylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Palm Oil
Emollient
Simethicone
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-10
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Iron Oxides
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantUltramarines
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantChromium Oxide Greens
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantChromium Hydroxide Green
CI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Paraffin, Beeswax, Cera Alba, Stearic Acid, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Acacia Senegal Gum, Palmitic Acid, Triethanolamine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Aminomethyl Propanediol, PEG-40 Stearate, Sodium Polymethacrylate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Simethicone, BHT, Polyquaternium-10, Panthenol, Iron Oxides, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491, Ultramarines, CI 77007, Chromium Oxide Greens, CI 77288, Chromium Hydroxide Green, CI 77289, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77891, CI 75470, CI 77510
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTThis is another name for beeswax; it's a 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) and your skin.
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.
Beeswax's wax esters are derived primarily from palmitic and oleic acid (C16 and C18:1). Both of these fall within the C11-C24 feeding window.
The Malassezia yeast can potentially cleave these esters and release usable fatty acids, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. However, not everyone will react to this ingredient.
Learn more about Cera AlbaCi 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Paraffin is a solid wax that pulls its weight as an emollient, occlusive, and consistency-booster.
It softens skin and lays down a protective film to slow water loss and gives products a stable body and structure.
The cosmetic grade stuff is highly refined with a solid safety record. The CIR Expert Panel has repeatedly reaffirmed this ingredient to be safe in current practices of use and concentration.
The worry about carcinogenic compounds only applies to industrial grades, not the purified version used in skincare.
Despite its reputation, the highly reformed form is non-comedogenic and doesn't penetrate deeply into skin.
The good news for fungal-acne prone folks: the Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids and lipids and paraffin doesn't contain any of these (so there's nothing for the yeast to metabolize). This ingredient is considered fungal acne safe.
Learn more about ParaffinWater. 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
