What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
PEG-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Palmitate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Polyethylene, PEG-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Parfum, Diisostearyl Malate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 42090, CI 19140, CI 77891
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningTrihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 20, Octyldodecanol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Trihydroxystearin, CI 42090, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, CI 19140, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Citric Acid
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 ButterCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
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 Tocopherol
