What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Petrolatum
Emollient
Lanolin
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Isotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Honey
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Whey
Skin ConditioningElaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Petrolatum, Lanolin, Polyethylene, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Microcrystalline Wax, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Soluble Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Squalane, Honey, Sodium Hyaluronate, Whey, Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Lanolin is a waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing sheep. It is an effective moisturizer that works as both a humectant and emollient.
As a humectant, it is able to absorb up to 400% of its own weight in water; this also gives it emulsifying properties as it can help stabilize water-in-oil emulsions.
On the other hand, lanolin is able to reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by about 20-30%. It can also incorporate into the lipid matrix to surround skin cells and reinforce the skin barrier.
This is why you'll see lanolin as an ingredient for heavy-duty moisturizers.
You might have seen an "allergy concern" that gives lanolin a bad reputation. The rate of lanolin contact allergy in the general population is estimated to be under 0.5%, and most of these are seen in people with compromised-skin dealing with eczema, atopic dermatitis, or leg ulcers.
Healthy, intact skin tolerates lanolin well. Even people who have previously reacted to it test negative on patch tests when the test is done on normal skin.
Because lanolin comes from an animal, it is not considered vegan. Sheep secrete lanolin through sebaceous glands to help protect their skin from the environment.
Learn more about LanolinMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
