What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientPolybutene
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantCollagen
MoisturisingSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrogenated 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 or alcohol, 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 derived from isostearic acid. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
The highest concentration of this ingredient is found in lipsticks.
This ingredient is minimally water soluble and may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne 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