What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isododecane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningTrisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone Silylate
Ptfe
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Kaolin
Abrasive
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingHectorite
AbsorbentCholesterol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventMethicone
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMagnesium Salicylate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane, Water, Trisiloxane, Dimethicone Silylate, Ptfe, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Polyisobutene, Kaolin, Silica Silylate, Trihydroxystearin, Diisopropyl Adipate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Microcrystalline Wax, Hectorite, Cholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Methicone, Hexylene Glycol, Magnesium Salicylate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Iron Oxides, CI 77891, CI 77742, CI 77288, CI 77289, CI 75470, CI 77510, CI 77163, CI 77007
Water
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingKaolin
Abrasive
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Hectorite
AbsorbentPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCellulose
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, CI 77499, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer, Microcrystalline Wax, Kaolin, Jojoba Esters, Silica, Sorbitan Olivate, Hectorite, Polyglycerin-3, Trihydroxystearin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Panthenol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sorbitan Tristearate, Polyisobutene, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Propylene Carbonate, Cellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, BHT
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCopernicia Cerifera Wax comes from a palm tree native to Brazil; another name for this ingredient is Carnauba Wax.
This ingredient is used to thicken texture and also leaves behind a film when applied.
Fun fact: This wax has the highest melting point of all natural waxes and low solubility.
Learn more about Copernicia Cerifera WaxWe don't have a description for Hectorite yet.
Hexylene Glycol is a multitasker ingredient that works as a solvent, humectant, emulsifier, viscosity reducer, and preservative booster.
It is able to dissolve both water and oil-soluble ingredients to stabilize tricky actives and make products spread more easily.
As a humectant, it pulls water into the skin. But it's a pretty minor moisturizing ingredient compared to other humectants, like glycerin.
Interestingly, it can act as a mild penetration enhancer. One in vitro study on human skin found a 12% concentration upped the absorption of mometasone furoate (a medicinal ingredient used to treat inflammatory skin conditions) up to 7%.
This ingredient is typically used at levels of 0.1-10% depending on the role it's playing.
A patch test study on eczema patients didn't find a significant increase in irritation versus the control group, but the potential for irritation rises at higher concentrations.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinMicrocrystalline 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.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobuteneThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateWe don't have a description for Quaternium-90 Bentonite yet.
Sorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWe don't have a description for Sorbitan Tristearate yet.
Trihydroxystearin is what you get when you fully hydrogenate castor oil into a waxy, fine powder.
It's mostly a behind-the-scenes texture enhancer that's especially good at "thixotropic" thing where the product stays thick but applies nicely.
Because of its structure, it also acts as a mild skin conditioning emollient that helps soften skin while preventing moisture loss.
Safety studies show it to be safe and non-irritation in clinical tests. It's typically used in concentrations up to 5%.
Since its an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can potentially feed on. This makes it not fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about TrihydroxystearinWater. 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
