What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Oryzanol
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Algae Extract
EmollientFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Mannitol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingDiatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Octyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Zinc Oxide, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Water, Titanium Dioxide, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Octyldodecanol, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Oryzanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Algae Extract, Ferulic Acid, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Ethyl Ferulate, Bisabolol, Carnosine, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Silica, Mannitol, Lecithin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Diatomaceous Earth, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, PEG-8 Laurate, Disodium EDTA, Zinc Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Tocopheryl Acetate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/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 TriglycerideOctyldodecanol 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.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl 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
