What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Paraffinum Liquidum
EmollientPEG-8 Glyceryl Isostearate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCyclomethicone
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientZea Mays Germ Oil
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParaffinum Liquidum, PEG-8 Glyceryl Isostearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclomethicone, Water, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Squalane, Zea Mays Germ Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, 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.
Paraffinum Liquidum is a highly-refined cosmetic-grade mineral oil. It is also known as liquid paraffin.
Despite its controversial reputation, the science is pretty clear: it's one of the most well-studied and effective moisturizing ingredients out there.
As an occlusive, it forms a protective layer on the skin that locks in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This makes it especially great for compromised skin barriers.
The "it clogs your pores" myth has been around for decades; a study found that industrial-grade mineral oil may be comedogenic but cosmetic-grade mineral oil is not (these two are very, very different).
A 2017 review concluded that cosmetic use of mineral oils and waxes does not present a risk to consumers due to absorption.
Mineral oil got a bad rap from the old rabbit ear studies. When tested on actual human skin, cosmetic-grade mineral oil showed no comedogenic activity. The rating of 0 is a correction of outdated science.
Mineral oil is an inert substance with no fatty acids so there's nothing to feed Malassezia. This ingredient is fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Paraffinum LiquidumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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