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
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolybutene
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Candelilla Wax Esters
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Methicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
BHT
Antioxidant
Punica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingRubus Idaeus Juice
AstringentVitis Vinifera Juice
Antioxidant
Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polybutene, Cera Microcristallina, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Mica, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Candelilla Wax Esters, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, CI 77891, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Methicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, CI 15985, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 15850, Ascorbic Acid, Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, BHT, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Rubus Idaeus Juice, Vitis Vinifera Juice
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 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 ButterCi 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850This ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilThis 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.
Hydrogenated 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 PolyisobutenePentaerythrityl 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 DilinoleatePolybutene is used to help control the viscosity of a product. This just means it helps adjusts the texture.
It is a polymer and does not get absorbed into the skin due to its large size.
Studies found this ingredient did not irritate skin in concentrations below 15%.
Learn more about PolybuteneWater. 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
