What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Synthetic Candelilla Wax
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tribehenin
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Aroma
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Morus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Synthetic Candelilla Wax, Synthetic Wax, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tribehenin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Menthoxypropanediol, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Aroma, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Water, Butylene Glycol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, BHT, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, CI 15850, CI 15985
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolybutene
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Aroma
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Siraitia Grosvenorii Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polybutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Cera Microcristallina, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Aroma, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Persea Gratissima Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Siraitia Grosvenorii Fruit Extract, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Citric Acid, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aroma refers to an ingredient, or mixture of ingredients, that impart or mask a flavor.
The name is slightly confusing. This is because INCI associates aroma with flavor instead of smell.
Here is the official definition from the The International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook:
“Aroma is a term for ingredient labeling used to identify that a product contains a material or combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular flavor.”
INCI shows the only purpose of aroma to be "flavouring".
However, due to regulation differences, some companies may use aroma in place of parfum.
In Canada, this ingredient only has to be listed in concentrations above 1%.
Learn more about AromaThis ingredient is a high-molecular weight synthetic polymer. It is used to modify the viscosity of a formula, improve slip, and create a more "cushiony" texture.
Due to its large molecular size, this ingredient is not absorbed into the skin.
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 ingredient’s 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 TriglycerideCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidThis is a synthetic polymer used to thicken formulas, improve texture, and enhance spreadability.
Due to its large molecule size, this ingredient does not penetrate the skin and is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient is a synthetic ingredient with emollient and skin conditioner used to make skincare products feel more lightweight on the skin. It helps improve slip and spreadability without feeling greasy.
Because it is high molecular weight and lipophilic (oil loving), it remains on the surface of skin.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateSynthetic 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 Wax
