What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientPolybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingIsostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citrus Sinensis Peel Extract
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Saccharin
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Aroma
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Linalool
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Microcrystalline Wax, Isostearyl Alcohol, Synthetic Wax, Silica Silylate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citrus Sinensis Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Sodium Saccharin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Aroma, Limonene, Citral, Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, BHT, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 15985
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantIsostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Aroma
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
Emollient
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Saccharin
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Limonene
Perfuming
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Cera Microcristallina, Mica, Isostearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aroma, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Tribehenin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Saccharin, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Limonene, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Titanium Dioxide, CI 15850
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aroma refers to an ingredient, or mixture of ingredients, that impart or mask a flavor.
The name is slightly confusing. This is because INCI associates aroma with flavor instead of smell.
Here is the official definition from the The International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook:
“Aroma is a term for ingredient labeling used to identify that a product contains a material or combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular flavor.”
INCI shows the only purpose of aroma to be "flavouring".
However, due to regulation differences, some companies may use aroma in place of parfum.
In Canada, this ingredient only has to be listed in concentrations above 1%.
Learn more about AromaBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.
This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.
Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2This ingredient is a high-molecular weight synthetic polymer. It is used to modify the viscosity of a formula, improve slip, and create a more "cushiony" texture.
Due to its large molecular size, this ingredient is not absorbed into the skin.
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 ButterDehydroacetic Acid is a synthetic preservative that keeps your products safe from microbes.
As an organic acid, it penetrates microbial cell walls and disrupts cellular metabolism. This makes it effective against bacteria, yeast, and mold.
It is effective at low concentrations (<0.6%). Clinical studies have found it to be non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and non-photosensitizing.
Learn more about Dehydroacetic AcidDiisostearyl 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.
This is a synthetic polymer used to thicken formulas, improve texture, and enhance spreadability.
Due to its large molecule size, this ingredient does not penetrate the skin and is considered well-tolerated.
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 PolyisobuteneIsostearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol. It's made by hydrogenating isostearic acid from plant oils (usually coconut or soybean)
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not the same as solvent alcohols like alcohol denatured.
It has three roles in skincare:
Clinical patch testing found 25% of Isostearyl Alcohol in petrolatum showed only mild irritation in a small minority (your product will not have nearly as high of an amount).
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it sits in the C11-C24 range that feeds the Malassezia yeast.
One last thing, the FDA allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Isostearyl AlcoholLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneWe don't have a description for Sodium Saccharin yet.
Synthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
