What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Tribehenin
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Lupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Saccharin
MaskingLactic Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Vanillin
Masking
Polybutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Cera Microcristallina, Synthetic Wax, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Sodium Saccharin, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tocopherol, Vanillin
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-37
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Stevioside
MaskingVanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Water
Skin ConditioningTrihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polyethylene, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Hexapeptide-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-37, Acetyl Hexapeptide-38, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stevioside, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Ceramide NP, Glucomannan, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Synthetic Beeswax, Water, Trihydroxystearin, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 73360, 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.
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 an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the product’s pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidOctyldodecanol 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.
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 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 Tocopherol
