What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Leaf Cell Extract
Skin ProtectingHibiscus Syriacus Callus Extract
AntioxidantRutin
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Mica, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Silica, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Leaf Cell Extract, Hibiscus Syriacus Callus Extract, Rutin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tribehenin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveBisabolol
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingIron Oxides
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tribehenin, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Silica, Bisabolol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Iron Oxides
Alternatives
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 TriglycerideEuphorbia Cerifera Cera (aka candelilla wax) is a vegan stand-in for beeswax. It is a plant-derived wax that functions as an astringent, emulsion stabilizer, film-former, and skin conditioner.
On skin, it forms a protective barrier that helps lock in moisture while it enhances product stability, prevents separation, and helps color last longer in makeup.
This ingredient is generally safe for use in cosmetics with one nuance: some grades of candelilla wax can naturally contain benzyl alcohol at concentrations high enough to require declaration under EU labeling rules. This isn't a concern for most people but relevant for those with fragrance sensitivities.
Candelilla wax contains fatty acids (mainly C31) and wax esters that can be used by the Malassezia yeast, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might see Euphorbia Cerifera "Wax" instead of "cera". This is because some brands, databases, or labels use it interchangeably; they're the same ingredient.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera CeraHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax is created from the common sunflower.
Sunflower seed wax is made up of long chain non-glyceride esters, a small amount of fatty alcohols, and fatty acids.
This ingredient is often used to enhance the texture of products. The fatty acid properties also help hydrate the skin.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed WaxSilica, 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 SilicaTocopherol 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 TocopherolTribehenin is the triglyceride of glycerin and behenic acid. It is an emollient that helps soften and condition skin.
Safety-wise, this is a well-vetted ingredient. Repeated-insult patch tests of 0.38% tribehenin did not trigger sensitization.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because behenic acid falls into the chain-length range that Malassezia yeasts can feed on.
Learn more about Tribehenin