What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-3
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-37
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-38
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantStevioside
MaskingVanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
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
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolybutene
Jojoba Esters
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantErgothioneine
AntioxidantStevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Powder
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingKaolin
AbrasiveOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientTriisostearin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningAroma
CI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Jojoba Esters, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Cholesterol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ergothioneine, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Powder, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Sucrose Cocoate, Panthenol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Silica, Carbomer, Kaolin, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Xanthan Gum, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Triisostearin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Octyldodecanol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Water, Aroma, CI 77742, CI 17200, CI 45380, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77891
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.
Ceramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPThis 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 PolyisobuteneOctyldodecanol 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.
This synthetic, signal peptide has unique skin conditioning properties in that is a matrikine-mimetic compound.
First of all, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 is a signal peptide; signal peptides tell the body to create more collagen.
What is a matrikine-mimetic compound?
This peptide has the ability to mimic matrikines in skin. Our skin created matrikines by breaking down matrix proteins into peptides.
Matrikines play a role in:
Though further research is needed, this ingredient seems pretty promising. In one study, women over the age of 40 with visible photoaging used a vitamin C serum with this ingredient for 56 days (15% ascorbid acid, 5 ppm palmitoyl tripeptide‐38). The results found improvement in skin roughness and skin tone.
This peptide is also part of the famous Matrixyl synthe’6, a blend of ingredients that also includes glycerin, water, and hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin.
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38Polybutene 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 PolybuteneSodium 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 HyaluronateSorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol.
It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together, such as oils and water.
According to a manufacturer, the ingredient Sorbitan Monooleate shares an INCI name with this one.
Sorbitan Oleate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also worsen oily skin.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateWater. 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