What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveOctyldodecanol
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingLecithin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone, Silica, Dimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Isononyl Isononanoate, Mica, Cera Microcristallina, Sorbitan Olivate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Synthetic Wax, Octyldodecanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, CI 77742
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingOctyldodecanol
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantKaolin
AbrasiveIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientParfum
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantRicinus Communis Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, CI 77220, Kaolin, Isostearyl Alcohol, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
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 HydroxideOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
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