What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Petrolatum
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Di-C20-40 Alkyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters
Emulsifying
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Honey Extract
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Isobornyl Acetate
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningArachidic Acid
Cleansing
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Punica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Petrolatum, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Synthetic Wax, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Di-C20-40 Alkyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Microcrystalline Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Zinc Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linoleic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycine Soja Oil, Allantoin, BHT, Persea Gratissima Oil, Oleic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propylene Glycol, Honey Extract, Palmitic Acid, Water, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Linolenic Acid, Isobornyl Acetate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Arachidic Acid, Behenic Acid, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C20-40 Alkyl Stearate
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Petrolatum, Myristyl Myristate, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Cetearyl Alcohol, C20-40 Alkyl Stearate, Beeswax, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 ButterGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
Petrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.
This ingredient is effective at reducing water loss by 99%. This is because it is an occlusive. Occlusives create a hydrophobic barrier on the skin to prevent evaporation. This property makes it great for hydrating dry skin.
Pro tip: Use occlusives, such as this ingredient, on damp skin for the best results.
The quality or origin of petrolatum is only known when disclosed by the brand. Most cosmetic petrolatum has gone through several purification stages.
Another benefit of occlusives is it protects your skin against infection or allergies.
Petrolatum is fungal acne safe. It is a hydrocarbon with no fatty acid structure, so Malassezia cannot metabolize it. In-vitro studies support negligible growth stimulation as well.
It's also worth noting that petrolatum has a comedogenic rating of 0. In updated rabbit ear testing (and in human testing), petrolatum was found to be not comedogenic. This means it didn’t promote comedone formation in standard models.
Learn more about PetrolatumRicinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.
Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
Besides hydrating the skin, castor oil is also used to hydrate hair. By keeping the hair shaft moisturized, breakage is decreased. More studies are needed to show castor oil's effective on stimulating hair growth.
Castor oil is created by cold-pressing castor seeds and then purifying the oil with heat. It was used in Ancient Egypt as fuel in lamps and to help treat eye irritation.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed OilTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
