What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate
EmollientPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin ConditioningEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingCholesterol
EmollientCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77400
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45370
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Microcrystalline Wax, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Squalane, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Lactic Acid, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ng, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Parfum, Citral, Linalool, Limonene, Tocopherol, BHT, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77163, CI 42090, CI 77400, CI 77742, CI 45370, CI 15850, CI 45380, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 15985
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate/Heptanoate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveAlumina
AbrasiveDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasivePropylene Carbonate
SolventParfum
MaskingDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantMangifera Indica Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantDiisostearyl Malate, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate/Heptanoate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Paraffin, Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline Wax, CI 45410, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Synthetic Wax, Alumina, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 15985, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Parfum, Dextrin Palmitate, Tocopherol, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Reviews
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 TriglycerideCi 15985 is a dye made from petroleum. It is synthetically created and approved by the FDA for use in foods and cosmetics.
The color of this dye is orange/yellow.
This ingredient can be found in makeup, sun care, and skincare.
Learn more about CI 15985CI 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye.
It often goes by both Red 28 or Red 27; manufacturers label both ingredients as CI 45410.
This dye is commonly found in makeup because it imparts a vivid color. Some types of this dye change color based on pH level and interaction with moisture:
Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5 - 5.5.
According to the FDA, CI 45410 is not permitted for use in eye products.
Red 27 is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.
Learn more about CI 45410Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer is an exfoliant.
Microcrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
Octyldodecanol 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.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumTocopherol 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 AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate