What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polybutene
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Angelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Usnea Barbata Extract
Pulsatilla Koreana Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydrogenated Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Phytosterols, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panthenol, Microcrystalline Wax, Isopropyl Myristate, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Persea Gratissima Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Tocopherol, Water, Beeswax
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Raspberry Seed Oil/Tocopheryl Succinate Aminopropanediol Esters
Skin Conditioning
Myristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Punica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Swertia Chirata Leaf Extract
AstringentButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Water
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Aroma
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Saccharin
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Polyisobutene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Microcrystalline Wax, Dimethicone, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Raspberry Seed Oil/Tocopheryl Succinate Aminopropanediol Esters, Myristyl Nicotinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Swertia Chirata Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Adenosine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Glycerin, Trihydroxystearin, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Water, Betaine, Lecithin, Aroma, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Saccharin, Dipropylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Citrate, CI 16035
Reviews
Alternatives
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 ButterCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
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 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
