What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolybutene
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosin
BHT
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientParfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cera Microcristallina, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Mica, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol, Rosin, BHT, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum, Limonene, CI 19140, CI 15850, CI 77891, CI 45410
Polyisobutene
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Tribehenin
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Squalane
Emollient
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Chlorella Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Stevioside
MaskingHibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Microcrystalline Wax, Octyldodecanol, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Tribehenin, Synthetic Wax, Squalane, Collagen Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Water, Glycerin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Chlorella Ferment, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Dipeptide-2, Nonapeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Stevioside, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol
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 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 ButterDiisostearyl 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.
Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteHydrogenated 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.
Phytosteryl/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 DilinoleateSodium 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 HyaluronateSynthetic 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 WaxTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol
