What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPolybutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tribehenin, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, BHT, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Paraffinum Liquidum
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Tetraoleate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientBenzyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientTin Oxide
AbrasiveSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Silica
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCapsicum Frutescens Resin
CleansingAroma
Benzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantParaffinum Liquidum, Persea Gratissima Oil, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Polyglyceryl-10 Tetraoleate, Glycine Soja Oil, Atelocollagen, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Tribehenin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Benzyl Nicotinate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Tin Oxide, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Capsicum Frutescens Resin, Aroma, Benzyl Benzoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 75470, CI 45410
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 a high-molecular weight synthetic polymer. It is used to modify the viscosity of a formula, improve slip, and create a more "cushiony" texture.
Due to its large molecular size, this ingredient is not absorbed into the skin.
This is a synthetic polymer used to thicken formulas, improve texture, and enhance spreadability.
Due to its large molecule size, this ingredient does not penetrate the skin and is considered well-tolerated.
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 PalmitatePalmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (aka Pal-GHK) is a synthetic signal peptide made of three amino acids attached to palmitic acid.
That fatty acid attachment is the key: it boosts the peptide's ability to penetrate the skin barrier. This puts it closer to the dermal cells where it can actually make a difference.
Once there, it acts as a matrikine, a signaling peptide that prompts fibroblasts to produce more collagen, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid.
In vitro studies show it can boost collagen production in skin cells even when UV-damaged skin samples were treated with it at a tiny concentration (it almost fully restored dermal collagen at 5ppm). It achieved this at 100x lower concentration than retinoic acid, which needed 500 ppm to do the same thing.
Human clinical data is promising, but modest:
A study of 23 female volunteers found a small but statistically significant increase (~4%) in skin thickness after treatment at 4 ppm.
A separate small trial of 15 women showed statistically significant reductions in wrinkle length, depth, and skin roughness after applying it twice daily for four weeks.
You'll likely see Pal-GHK paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 as part of the Matrixyl 3000 complex.
Fungal acne note:
Usually a palmitic acid component can feed Malassezia in unbound form, but here is is covalently bonded to the peptide. This means it is very difficult for Malassezia to access, and therefore very unlikely to cause fungal acne.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePhenoxyethanol 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.
This 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 SilylateJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
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 is the triglyceride of glycerin and behenic acid. It is an emollient that helps soften and condition skin.
Safety-wise, this is a well-vetted ingredient. Repeated-insult patch tests of 0.38% tribehenin did not trigger sensitization.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because behenic acid falls into the chain-length range that Malassezia yeasts can feed on.
Learn more about Tribehenin