What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Honey Extract
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Sorbitan Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Microcrystalline Wax, Isopropyl Myristate, Beeswax, Tocopherol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Water, Panthenol, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Parfum, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Honey Extract, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cyanocobalamin
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPetrolatum
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soymilk Protein
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
Antioxidant
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Petrolatum, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glycerin, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Water, Ceramide NP, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Soymilk Protein, Niacinamide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pyridoxine, Biotin, Tocopherol, Cyanocobalamin, Thiamine Hcl, Beta-Carotene, Riboflavin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
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 a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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 ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCyanocobalamin is the manufactured version of vitamin B12. It has skin soothing, antioxidant, and barrier protecting properties. Topical cyanocobalamin is used to treat skin irritation and atopic dermatitis.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 PolyisobutenePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinās lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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
