What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Tribehenin
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Niacin
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Petrolatum
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tribehenin
Emollient
Aroma
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Saccharin
MaskingPortulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
BHT
Antioxidant
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder
Abrasive
Petrolatum, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Beeswax, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Tocopherol, Tribehenin, Aroma, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Saccharin, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, BHT, Trihydroxystearin, Sucrose Cocoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder
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.
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 PalmitateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSorbitan 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 IsostearateTocopherol 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 TocopherolTribehenin 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
