What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Cera Alba
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Aroma
Stearyl Heptanoate
Emollient
Stearyl Caprylate
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Bumetrizole
UV AbsorberAnise Alcohol
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantRicinus Communis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocoglycerides, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Octocrylene, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octyldodecanol, Cera Alba, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Aroma, Stearyl Heptanoate, Stearyl Caprylate, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bumetrizole, Anise Alcohol, CI 77891
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Dimethicone 2%
Emollient
Homosalate 15%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Aroma
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingMyristyl Myristate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Oryzanol
Skin ConditioningOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Stearyl Behenate
Emollient
Sucralose
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Dimethicone 2%, Homosalate 15%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cetyl Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Aroma, Microcrystalline Wax, Myristyl Myristate, Octyldodecanol, Oryzanol, Ozokerite, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Stearyl Behenate, Sucralose, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aroma refers to an ingredient, or mixture of ingredients, that impart or mask a flavor.
The name is slightly confusing. This is because INCI associates aroma with flavor instead of smell.
Here is the official definition from the The International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook:
“Aroma is a term for ingredient labeling used to identify that a product contains a material or combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular flavor.”
INCI shows the only purpose of aroma to be "flavouring".
However, due to regulation differences, some companies may use aroma in place of parfum.
In Canada, this ingredient only has to be listed in concentrations above 1%.
Learn more about AromaAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylic/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.
Tocopheryl 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 AcetateEuphorbia Cerifera Wax (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 "Cera" instead of "wax". This is because some brands, databases, or labels use it interchangeably; they're the same ingredient.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
