What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Jojoba Esters, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tribehenin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose Cocoate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningPolybutene
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCeramide Ag
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantHippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil
Skin ProtectingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Saccharin
Masking2,3-Butanediol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingOleic Acid
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polybutene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Niacinamide, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Saccharin, 2,3-Butanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cholesterol, Citric Acid, Oleic Acid
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 ButterGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneSodium 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 Hyaluronate