What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolybutene
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Tridecapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tribehenin
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Vanillin
Masking
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Glyceryl Behenate, Synthetic Beeswax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Tridecapeptide-1, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Sucrose Cocoate, Vanillin, CI 15850
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Rosinate
Perfuming
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCanola Oil
Emollient
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters
Emulsifying
Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Retinyl Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Cera Alba
Emollient
Squalene
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Aroma
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Rosinate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Canola Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Water, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Retinyl Retinoate, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tripeptide-1, Cera Alba, Squalene, Palmitic Acid, Aroma, C12-16 Alcohols, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Tocopherol, Limonene, Beta-Sitosterol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, 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.
Bis-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 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 ButterHydrogenated 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 PolyisobuteneSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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
