What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Metronidazole
Ivermectin
C13-15 Alkane
SolventCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethoxydiglycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventMoringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Azelaic Acid, Metronidazole, Ivermectin, C13-15 Alkane, Caprylyl Methicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethoxydiglycol, Dimethicone, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Moringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate
Estriol 0.3%
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 0.1%
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 0.1%
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid 0.5%
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Isopropyl Jojobate
EmollientJojoba Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Estriol 0.3%, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 0.1%, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 0.1%, Hyaluronic Acid 0.5%, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides, Polysilicone-11, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phosphatidylcholine, Jojoba Esters, Isopropyl Jojobate, Jojoba Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxanePEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer is a type of silicone.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
