What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Acrylates Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Vanillin
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tribehenin
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Methyl Nicotinate
SoothingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Niacin
SmoothingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cocos Nucifera Oil, Beeswax, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyethylene, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Acrylates Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Vanillin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phosphatidylcholine, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Tribehenin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Octyldodecanol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Methyl Nicotinate, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Caffeine, Niacin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Cetyl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tribehenin
Emollient
Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Sulfate
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Vanillin
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Aroma
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantRicinus Communis Seed Oil, Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Polyethylene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Butylene Glycol, Cholesterol, Glyceryl Stearate, Tribehenin, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sulfate, Oleic Acid, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Palmitic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vanillin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Aroma, Mica, CI 77891, CI 45380, CI 17200, CI 75470
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 GlycolEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitatePalmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (aka Pal-GHK) is a synthetic signal peptide made of three amino acids attached to palmitic acid.
That fatty acid attachment is the key: it boosts the peptide's ability to penetrate the skin barrier. This puts it closer to the dermal cells where it can actually make a difference.
Once there, it acts as a matrikine, a signaling peptide that prompts fibroblasts to produce more collagen, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid.
In vitro studies show it can boost collagen production in skin cells even when UV-damaged skin samples were treated with it at a tiny concentration (it almost fully restored dermal collagen at 5ppm). It achieved this at 100x lower concentration than retinoic acid, which needed 500 ppm to do the same thing.
Human clinical data is promising, but modest:
A study of 23 female volunteers found a small but statistically significant increase (~4%) in skin thickness after treatment at 4 ppm.
A separate small trial of 15 women showed statistically significant reductions in wrinkle length, depth, and skin roughness after applying it twice daily for four weeks.
You'll likely see Pal-GHK paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 as part of the Matrixyl 3000 complex.
Fungal acne note:
Usually a palmitic acid component can feed Malassezia in unbound form, but here is is covalently bonded to the peptide. This means it is very difficult for Malassezia to access, and therefore very unlikely to cause fungal acne.
Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
This ingredient is also known as castor oil. It is a skin conditioning ingredient.
The star component of castor oil is ricinoleic acid, an unusual fatty acid that makes up ~80-92% of its composition.
In skincare, it is an emollient that dries down to a solid film with water-binding properties. This helps keep skin hydrated and helps reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
A 2026 dermatology review pulls together its broader uses:
Human clinical testing found this ingredient to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Because castor oil contains fatty acids in the C11-24 range, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
At this time, the literature does not support castor oil in regrowing hair. A 2022 systematic review found no strong evidence that it supports hair growth and only weak evidence that it improves hair shine.
Castor oil itself carries "perfuming" and "masking" function tags according to the official CosIng database. This is because of its mild odor and odor-dampening properties.
Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed OilThis 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 SilylateSodium 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 HyaluronateSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTribehenin is the triglyceride of glycerin and behenic acid. It is an emollient that helps soften and condition skin.
Safety-wise, this is a well-vetted ingredient. Repeated-insult patch tests of 0.38% tribehenin did not trigger sensitization.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because behenic acid falls into the chain-length range that Malassezia yeasts can feed on.
Learn more about TribeheninVanillin is the main compound of the vanilla bean. It is naturally occuring but can also be artificially created.
This ingredient exhibits antioxidant properties but is also a known skin-irritant.
Vanillism is the term of contact-dermatitis associated with the vanilla plant. The sap of the vanilla plant triggers skin irritation, swelling, and redness.
Learn more about Vanillin
