What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polybutene
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
CI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Isopropyl Myristate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polybutene, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Synthetic Wax, Synthetic Beeswax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Candelilla Cera, Ozokerite, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Isopropyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, BHT, CI 45410, CI 77007, CI 77499
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Synthetic Beeswax, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 15850, CI 45410
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 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 45410Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
This ingredient is also known as castor oil. It is a skin conditioning ingredient.
The star component of castor oil is ricinoleic acid, an unusual fatty acid that makes up ~80-92% of its composition.
In skincare, it is an emollient that dries down to a solid film with water-binding properties. This helps keep skin hydrated and helps reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
A 2026 dermatology review pulls together its broader uses:
Human clinical testing found this ingredient to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Because castor oil contains fatty acids in the C11-24 range, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
At this time, the literature does not support castor oil in regrowing hair. A 2022 systematic review found no strong evidence that it supports hair growth and only weak evidence that it improves hair shine.
Castor oil itself carries "perfuming" and "masking" function tags according to the official CosIng database. This is because of its mild odor and odor-dampening properties.
Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed OilSynthetic beeswax is created to be identical in structure to beeswax without involving bees, making it a go-to for vegan formulas.
It's mainly used an an emulsion stabilizer and thickener.
This ingredient (alongside other synthetic waxes) have been concluded to be safe in cosmetics under the present practices.
Reported usage goes up to 18% and it is non-sensitizing.
Just one caveat for fungal acne: This ingredient is made up of C16-32 fatty acids and fatty acid esters. Part of this overlaps with the C11-24 range that the Malassezia yeast can feed on, so it's not fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic BeeswaxSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
It has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopheryl 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
