What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-37
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Stevioside
MaskingVanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Water
Skin ConditioningTrihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polyethylene, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Hexapeptide-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-37, Acetyl Hexapeptide-38, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stevioside, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Ceramide NP, Glucomannan, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Synthetic Beeswax, Water, Trihydroxystearin, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 73360, CI 15850
Squalane
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Petrolatum
Emollient
Punica Granatum Sterols
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Hydroxycaprylic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylpropanediol
SolventPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Squalane, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Petrolatum, Punica Granatum Sterols, Water, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Silica Silylate, Hydroxycaprylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Methylpropanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol
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 a high-molecular weight synthetic polymer. It is used to modify the viscosity of a formula, improve slip, and create a more "cushiony" texture.
Due to its large molecular size, this ingredient is not absorbed into the skin.
This is a synthetic polymer used to thicken formulas, improve texture, and enhance spreadability.
Due to its large molecule size, this ingredient does not penetrate the skin and is considered well-tolerated.
Octyldodecanol 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.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate is an emollient ester.
As an emollient, it softens and hydrates your skin by locking moisture in. Its large, branched structure gives it a thick, cushiony feel without being greasy. This is why it shows up most often in lip balms, lipsticks, and other stick or balm formulas, where it adds gloss and helps hold waxes and pigments together.
The phytosterol portion is a nice extra. Phytosterols are plant-based lipids that are structurally similar to ones found naturally in skin, so they can help support the skin barrier.
Because this ingredient contains C16, C18, and C22 fatty chains, it may not be Malassezia/fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast potentially feeds on fatty acids in the C11-C24 range. If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
Learn more about Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer DilinoleateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
