What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientHydrogenated Jojoba Oil
AbrasiveButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveGlycine Soja Lipids
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingGlycolic Acid
BufferingCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Soybean Oil, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Polyethylene, Glycine Soja Lipids, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Glycolic Acid, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Water, Tribehenin, Ceramide Ng, Phytosterols, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBixa Orellana Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantLinolenic Acid
CleansingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningTridecyl Trimellitate, Diisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Polyisobutene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Synthetic Beeswax, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Water, Niacinamide, Pantothenic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin
Reviews
Alternatives
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 lipid-based synthetic skin-conditioning agent derived from adipic acid and a mixture of fatty acids. It is often called a lanolin substitute.
As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate the skin. Emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Due to its fatty acid base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilOctyldodecanol 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.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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