What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Microcrystalline Wax, Diisostearyl Malate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Ceresin, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate, Sorbitan Olivate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Water, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate
EmollientCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate, Ceresin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Synthetic Wax, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Water, Ceramide NP, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-9, Ceramide EOP, Dehydroacetic Acid
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 ButterCeresin is a wax derived from ozokerite. It is an alternative to beeswax.
The most common process of creating ceresin is by using heat and sulfuric acid.
Dehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Diisostearyl 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.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMicrocrystalline 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.
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate is an emollient ester.
As an emollient, it softens and hydrates your skin by locking moisture in. Its large, branched structure gives it a thick, cushiony feel without being greasy. This is why it shows up most often in lip balms, lipsticks, and other stick or balm formulas, where it adds gloss and helps hold waxes and pigments together.
The phytosterol portion is a nice extra. Phytosterols are plant-based lipids that are structurally similar to ones found naturally in skin, so they can help support the skin barrier.
Because this ingredient contains C16, C18, and C22 fatty chains, it may not be Malassezia/fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast potentially feeds on fatty acids in the C11-C24 range. If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
Learn more about Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer DilinoleateWe don't have a description for Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer yet.
This ingredient is a form of glycerin with emulsifying and emollient properties.
As an emulsifier, this ingredient helps keep products together while adding a thick texture. The manufacturer states this ingredient has emollient properties. Emollients help keep the skin hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is created by reacting diglycerin and isostearic acid. Due to the isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateSynthetic 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.
It has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
