What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Menthol
Masking
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTridecyl Trimellitate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyisobutene, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, Microcrystalline Wax, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dextrin Palmitate, Menthol, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 45410, CI 77491
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate
Skin Conditioning
Polyisobutene
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Bixa Orellana Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningTridecyl Trimellitate, Diisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Polyisobutene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Synthetic Beeswax, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Water, Niacinamide, Pantothenic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Caprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDiisostearyl 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.
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer is an exfoliant.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinOctyldodecanol 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 HydroxyhydrocinnamatePolyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobuteneJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
It has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTridecyl Trimellitate is a synthetic ingredient with emollient and skin conditioning properties. It also acts as a texture enhancer and helps products spread easily without feeling greasy.
As an emollient, it forms a light layer on the skin that keeps moisture in and improves water resistance. This is why you'll often find this ingredient in eye creams and other rich treatments.
This ingredient is seen as the elegant alternative to mineral oil.
Learn more about Tridecyl Trimellitate
