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
StabilisingAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Vanillin
Masking
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantBHT
Antioxidant
Cinnamal
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
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, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Parfum, Vanillin, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Mica, BHT, Cinnamal, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolybutene
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Soybean Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Aroma
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Iron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Lauroyl Lysine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phytosterols, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Aroma, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Iron Oxides, CI 15850
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.
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 PolyisobutenePolybutene 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 PolybuteneTocopherol 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 TocopherolThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides
