What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Paraffinum Liquidum, Microcrystalline Wax, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Triethylhexanoin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Tribehenin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lactic Acid, Allantoin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, BHT, Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Phytosterols
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientJojoba Esters
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Tribehenin
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Jojoba Esters, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tribehenin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose Cocoate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 ButterDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline isn't fungal acne safe.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateHydrogenated 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 PolyisobutenePalmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.
By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1This silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTribehenin comes from glycerin and behenic acid.
It is used as an emollient, or moisturizer. Emollients form a thin barrier on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Tribehenin
