What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingParaffin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantStevioside
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cera Microcristallina, Paraffin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Parfum, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stevioside, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Water, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Tribehenin, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, CI 45380, CI 19140, CI 15985, CI 73360, CI 15850, Titanium Dioxide, Blue 1 Lake
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolybutene
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCapsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingMenthol
MaskingParaffin
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientHydrogenated Coconut Oil
EmollientVanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientMethyl Nicotinate
SoothingTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
AbrasiveSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingVanillin
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77400
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Polybutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Wax, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Menthoxypropanediol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Menthol, Paraffin, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Methyl Nicotinate, Tripeptide-1, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tin Oxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Vanillin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77163, CI 42090, CI 77400, CI 77742, CI 15850, CI 45380, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 15985
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.
This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.
Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2This 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 ButterCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 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 15850Ci 15985 is a dye made from petroleum. It is synthetically created and approved by the FDA for use in foods and cosmetics.
The color of this dye is orange/yellow.
This ingredient can be found in makeup, sun care, and skincare.
Learn more about CI 15985CI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 45380 is a synthetic dye that comes from coal or tar sources. Due to this, it is often used in small quantities.
A common name for this dye is Red 22. Red 22 imparts a warm reddish color.
Similar to Red 27, this dye changes color based on pH and moisture levels.
This dye is colorless when dry but turns pink between pH levels 0.0 to ~3.0.
Learn more about CI 45380Ci 73360 is a synthetic red-pink dye.
It is soluble in water and remains chemically stable across a range of pH levels typically used in cosmetics. This helps manufacturers maintain uniform color throughout a product’s shelf life.
Because this ingredient is a regulated cosmetic colorant, its purity, manufacturing standards, and allowed uses are defined by cosmetic regulations in major markets.
Learn more about CI 73360Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
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 PolyisobuteneParaffin is a solid wax that pulls its weight as an emollient, occlusive, and consistency-booster.
It softens skin and lays down a protective film to slow water loss and gives products a stable body and structure.
The cosmetic grade stuff is highly refined with a solid safety record. The CIR Expert Panel has repeatedly reaffirmed this ingredient to be safe in current practices of use and concentration.
The worry about carcinogenic compounds only applies to industrial grades, not the purified version used in skincare.
Despite its reputation, the highly reformed form is non-comedogenic and doesn't penetrate deeply into skin.
The good news for fungal-acne prone folks: the Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids and lipids and paraffin doesn't contain any of these (so there's nothing for the yeast to metabolize). This ingredient is considered fungal acne safe.
Learn more about ParaffinPolybutene 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 PolybutenePolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateSodium 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 Hyaluronate