What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Polybutene
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Collagen
Moisturising
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyldodecanol, Polybutene, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Trehalose, Collagen, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolOctyldodecanol 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 Tetraisostearate is a synthetic emollient and "skin-feel" ingredient that spreads well and leaves a non-sticky finish with high gloss.
In makeup, it also doubles as a pigment-wetting agent for better color payoff.
It's a well-vetted ingredient for safety and does not penetrate into skin due to its large molecule size.
Because it's a long-chain fatty acid ester, this ingredient may not be fungal acne or Malassezia safe.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl TetraisostearatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polybutene 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 PolybuteneSodium 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
