What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Behenyl Behenate
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Tribehenin
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Tridecyl Trimellitate, Octyldodecanol, Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Behenyl Behenate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Trioctyldodecyl Citrate
EmollientPolybutene
Silica
Abrasive
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCeramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Tribehenin
Emollient
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Titanium/Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAlumina
Abrasive
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
PEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Phytosteryl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Vanillin
Masking
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77400
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polyethylene, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Polybutene, Silica, Ozokerite, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Octyldodecanol, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ceramide Ng, Tribehenin, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Titanium/Titanium Dioxide, Alumina, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Tin Oxide, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Linoleic Acid, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Phytosteryl Isostearate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Vanillin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77163, CI 77400, CI 42090, CI 75470, CI 15850, CI 45380, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 15985
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 ButterEuphorbia Cerifera Cera (aka candelilla wax) is a vegan stand-in for beeswax. It is a plant-derived wax that functions as an astringent, emulsion stabilizer, film-former, and skin conditioner.
On skin, it forms a protective barrier that helps lock in moisture while it enhances product stability, prevents separation, and helps color last longer in makeup.
This ingredient is generally safe for use in cosmetics with one nuance: some grades of candelilla wax can naturally contain benzyl alcohol at concentrations high enough to require declaration under EU labeling rules. This isn't a concern for most people but relevant for those with fragrance sensitivities.
Candelilla wax contains fatty acids (mainly C31) and wax esters that can be used by the Malassezia yeast, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might see Euphorbia Cerifera "Wax" instead of "cera". This is because some brands, databases, or labels use it interchangeably; they're the same ingredient.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera CeraHydrogenated Castor Oil (aka "castor wax") is what you get when castor oil is turned into a wax.
Its dominant fatty acid is ricinoleic acid, giving it both emollient and mild humectant properties.
According to EU CosIng, this ingredient helps soften skin, keep oil and water stay mixed, and thickens products.
Hydrogenated castor oil at 30% did not trigger a positive patch-test reaction and is well-tolerated.
Since this ingredient is based on an 18-carbon fatty acid, it falls into the chain-length range that Malassezia can feed on and may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Castor OilOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 OilJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTribehenin 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 Tribehenin
