What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropanediol
Solvent
Silica
Abrasive
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantStearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingUndecane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tridecane
Perfuming
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isopropyl Myristate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, CI 77492, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Alcohol Denat., Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Silica, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, CI 77491, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Undecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tridecane, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polyglycerin-6, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, CI 77499
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLauryl Lactate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Santalum Album Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Myroxylon Pereirae Oil
Masking
Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil
Emollient
Coffea Arabica Seed Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Limonium Gerberi Extract
Skin ProtectingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Diisopropyl Adipate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Lauryl Lactate, Glycerin, Mica, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Ferulic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Santalum Album Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Myroxylon Pereirae Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limonium Gerberi Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Butyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylic/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 TriglyceridePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
