What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolybutene
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Silica
AbrasiveGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Tocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, Diisostearyl Malate, Synthetic Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polybutene, Microcrystalline Wax, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientKaolin
AbrasiveMagnesium/Potassium/Silicon/Fluoride/Hydroxide/Oxide
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDicalcium Phosphate
AbrasiveSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Silica, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Kaolin, Magnesium/Potassium/Silicon/Fluoride/Hydroxide/Oxide, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Boron Nitride, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water, Propylene Carbonate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 73360, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl 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 CaprylateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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