What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Simethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningMethicone
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Simethicone, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Water, Methicone, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Oryzanol
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Cone Extract
Masking
Serine
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Disodium Succinate
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Succinic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Paraffinum Liquidum, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Water, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Paraffin, Cera Microcristallina, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Glycerin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceramide Ng, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Oryzanol, Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract, Serine, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Dimethicone, Disodium Succinate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosterols, Squalane, Succinic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 ButterDiisostearyl 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 PolyisobutenePhenoxyethanol 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.
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 TriisostearateThis silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
