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
Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentTribehenin
Emollient
Acetylated Sucrose Distearate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Tribehenin, Acetylated Sucrose Distearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Water, Limonene
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Synthetic Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
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 ButterGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax is created from the common sunflower.
Sunflower seed wax is made up of long chain non-glyceride esters, a small amount of fatty alcohols, and fatty acids.
This ingredient is often used to enhance the texture of products. The fatty acid properties also help hydrate the skin.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed WaxHydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateEuphorbia Cerifera Wax (aka candelilla wax) is a vegan stand-in for beeswax. It is a plant-derived wax that functions as an astringent, emulsion stabilizer, film-former, and skin conditioner.
On skin, it forms a protective barrier that helps lock in moisture while it enhances product stability, prevents separation, and helps color last longer in makeup.
This ingredient is generally safe for use in cosmetics with one nuance: some grades of candelilla wax can naturally contain benzyl alcohol at concentrations high enough to require declaration under EU labeling rules. This isn't a concern for most people but relevant for those with fragrance sensitivities.
Candelilla wax contains fatty acids (mainly C31) and wax esters that can be used by the Malassezia yeast, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might see Euphorbia Cerifera "Cera" instead of "wax". This is because some brands, databases, or labels use it interchangeably; they're the same ingredient.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
