What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolybutene
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingMenthol
Masking
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientHydrogenated Coconut Oil
Emollient
Vanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientMethyl Nicotinate
SoothingTripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingVanillin
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77400
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Polybutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Wax, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Menthoxypropanediol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Menthol, Paraffin, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Methyl Nicotinate, Tripeptide-1, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tin Oxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Vanillin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77163, CI 42090, CI 77400, CI 77742, CI 15850, CI 45380, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 15985
Triisostearin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate
Emollient
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingParfum
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Simethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Pantothenate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingUrea
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Magnesium Lactate
BufferingPapain
Skin Conditioning
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Potassium Lactate
BufferingProline
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Magnesium Chloride
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantTriisostearin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate, Dextrin Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Parfum, Squalane, Simethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Water, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Maltodextrin, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calcium Pantothenate, Xanthan Gum, Urea, Caprylyl Glycol, Magnesium Lactate, Papain, Soluble Collagen, Potassium Lactate, Proline, Alanine, Serine, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, CI 77891, CI 42090
Reviews
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 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
