What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isododecane
EmollientCera Alba
Emollient
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningAllyl Stearate
Oryza Sativa Cera
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Polyvinyl Laurate
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Dimer Dilinoleic Acid Copolymer
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantUltramarines
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantChromium Oxide Greens
CI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane, Cera Alba, Beeswax, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Water, Allyl Stearate, Oryza Sativa Cera, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Paraffin, Alcohol Denat., Polyvinyl Laurate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Dimer Dilinoleic Acid Copolymer, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Iron Oxides, CI 77007, Ultramarines, CI 77891, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, CI 75470, CI 77288, Chromium Oxide Greens, CI 77742, CI 77510
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStyrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Polybutene
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Steareth-20
CleansingGlyceryl Dibehenate
Emollient
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingTribehenin
Emollient
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingGlyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Disodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Palm Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tetrasodium EDTA
Ethylenediamine/Stearyl Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Paraffin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Beeswax, Synthetic Beeswax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polybutene, Cetyl Alcohol, Steareth-20, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Steareth-2, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Tribehenin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Glyceryl Behenate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Silica, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ethylenediamine/Stearyl Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Beeswax is 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).
Cera Alba is the white, bleached form of this ingredient.
Just so you know, 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 BeeswaxThis ingredient comes from a palm tree native to Brazil. This ingredient is used to thicken texture and leaves behind a film when applied.
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
