What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Behenate
EmollientC18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantAdansonia Digitata Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingRosa Canina Flower Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexyl Palmitate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lauryl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Jojoba Esters, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Water, Behenyl Behenate, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Adansonia Digitata Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosa Canina Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientTridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-12 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCandelilla Wax Esters
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitrus Tangerina Peel Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate, Tridecyl Isononanoate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-12 Diisostearate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Candelilla Wax Esters, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Tangerina Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Water, Butylene Glycol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 PalmitateTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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