What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveAroma
Triisostearyl Citrate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer
Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPortulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Synthetic Wax, Aroma, Triisostearyl Citrate, Octyldodecanol, Tocopherol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Bisabolol, Hydrogenated Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Citric Acid, Sucrose Cocoate, Sorbitan Oleate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, CI 45410, CI 77891, CI 77492
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV AbsorberPetrolatum
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSorbeth-2 Hexaoleate
EmollientAroma
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingOryzanol
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBisabolol
AntioxidantSiraitia Grosvenorii Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Petrolatum, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sorbeth-2 Hexaoleate, Aroma, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Microcrystalline Wax, Oryzanol, Mica, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Physalis Angulata Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bisabolol, Siraitia Grosvenorii Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, BHT, Citric Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Citronellol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aroma refers to an ingredient, or mixture of ingredients, that impart or mask a flavor.
The name is slightly confusing. This is because INCI associates aroma with flavor instead of smell.
Here is the official definition from the The International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook:
“Aroma is a term for ingredient labeling used to identify that a product contains a material or combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular flavor.”
INCI shows the only purpose of aroma to be "flavouring".
However, due to regulation differences, some companies may use aroma in place of parfum.
In Canada, this ingredient only has to be listed in concentrations above 1%.
Learn more about AromaBisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololThis 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 ButterCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidSynthetic 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