What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolybutene
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Polybutene, Polyethylene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Ozokerite, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Mica, CI 45410, CI 77492, CI 42090
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientGlyceryl Diisostearate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Triisostearin
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Simethicone
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Glyceryl Diisostearate, Polyethylene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Squalane, Triisostearin, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Lauroyl Lysine, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tribehenin, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trihydroxystearin, Simethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Glucomannan, Mica, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Titanium Dioxide, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 77491
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 ButterThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilDiisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Hydrogenated 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 PolyisobuteneMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPolyethylene 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
