What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolybutene
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Prunus Avium Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningAroma
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Palmitate, Diisostearyl Malate, Polybutene, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Prunus Avium Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Retinyl Palmitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Trihydroxystearin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Aroma, Limonene, CI 19140, CI 15850
Polyisobutene
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlyceryl Dibehenate
Emollient
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Tribehenin
Emollient
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Paraffinum Liquidum, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Squalane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Octyldodecanol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Synthetic Beeswax, Tribehenin, Glyceryl Behenate, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Tocopherol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Propylene Carbonate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate
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 ButterEthylhexyl 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 PalmitateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
