What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyisobutene
Squalane
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Tribehenin
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingWater
Skin ConditioningCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPolyisobutene, Squalane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Octyldodecanol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tribehenin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Glucomannan, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glyceryl Caprylate, Linoleic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Palmitic Acid, Mentha Piperita Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Linolenic Acid, Trihydroxystearin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Water, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Mica, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Candelilla Wax Esters
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Tribehenin
Emollient
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polybutene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cera Microcristallina, Synthetic Wax, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Mica, CI 77891, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Parfum, Candelilla Wax Esters, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Tribehenin, Menthoxypropanediol, Glycerin, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Lecithin, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Dehydroacetic Acid, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Reviews
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 ButterThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilEthylhexyl 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 a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.
By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Sorbitan 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 IsostearateTocopherol 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 TocopherolTribehenin comes from glycerin and behenic acid.
It is used as an emollient, or moisturizer. Emollients form a thin barrier on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Tribehenin
