What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Glycerin
Humectant
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Glucose
Humectant
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Hordeum Distichon Extract
Skin ProtectingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Persica Leaf Extract
Emollient
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Rosa Canina Seed Extract
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract
HumectantSantalum Album Extract
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium/Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecanol, Polyisobutene, Synthetic Wax, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Glycerin, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Glucoside, Squalane, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Glucose, Collagen Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Prunus Persica Leaf Extract, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Panthenol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Dipeptide-2, Lecithin, Rosa Canina Seed Extract, Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Santalum Album Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Chlorella Ferment, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Pentylene Glycol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Titanium/Titanium Dioxide, Tin Oxide, CI 77491
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAmber Powder
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hexapeptide-2
Bleaching
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicAsiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylyl Glycol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Water, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Betaine, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Sucrose Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hexapeptide-2, Biotin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside
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.
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 preservatives
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 ButterCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolSodium 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 HyaluronateSynthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.
It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.
Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.
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
