What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Tribehenin
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Synthetic Wax, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Tribehenin, Trihydroxystearin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolybutene
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantAroma
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Methicone
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Silica
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
CI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Alginate
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentFragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentSapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Calcium Chloride
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Manganese Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polybutene, Microcrystalline Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Hydrogenated Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Mica, Aroma, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Dimethicone, CI 77891, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Methicone, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Silica, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, CI 47005, Water, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, CI 42090, Potassium Alginate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alcohol, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Ascorbyl Glucoside
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 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.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated 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 PolyisobutenePolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate 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 TriisostearatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate isn't fungal acne safe.
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 WaxWater. 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
