What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Diglycerin
Humectant
Dextrin Isostearate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Cellulose
Absorbent
Octyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingC8-12 Acid Triglyceride
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lysine
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Chloride
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diglycerin, Dextrin Isostearate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Cellulose, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Chloride, Stearalkonium Hectorite, C8-12 Acid Triglyceride, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Magnesium Stearate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Isostearic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lysine, Pentylene Glycol, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Chloride, Copper Gluconate, Tocopherol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingMagnesium Sulfate
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Octyldodecanol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Squalane, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Isostearic Acid, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Sorbic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglycerin-3, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
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 TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 GlycolCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinIsostearic Acid is a fatty acid and a structural cousin of stearic acid. It is an emulsifier.
The branched structure of this ingredient enhances fluidity and gives it a lighter, less greasy feel compared to other fatty acids. It helps improve texture and consistency because it prevents oil and water phases from separating.
This ingredient is sourced from plant-based oils like soybean or rapeseed.
Clinical studies found no signs of irritation from this ingredient.
Since Isostearic Acid is an 18-carbon fatty acid, it is in the range that Malassezia can feed on. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might have seen sources that this ingredient is comedogenic. The original comedogenic testing on rabbit ear actually tested the ester, Isopropyl Isostearate and not Isostearic acid itself. There has been no comedogenic testing done on this ingredient, but it may be worth patch testing if you have acne-prone skin.
Learn more about Isostearic AcidLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate is a plant-derived emulsifier made by combining glycerin and ricinoleic acid.
It works well for giving buttery lip balms and low-viscosity water-in-oil emulsions a non-greasy and pleasant skin feel.
Typical concentrations range from 0.1-3%.
This ingredient is mild and non-irritating in nature.
Because it is derived from ricinoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Ricinoleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleatePolyhydroxystearic Acid is a vegetable-derived soft wax made from castor oil. It's an emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
You'll likely see it in sunscreens because it helps disperse pigments and UV-reflecting minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide evenly.
Depending on the concentration, it can drastically change the texture of a product from pasty solid (like lipstick) to sprayable liquid.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics. The highest reported use concentration is 14.2% in lipsticks.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidThis 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 CarbonateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideStearalkonium Hectorite is a clay-derived ingredient used to thicken a product and help create a gel-like texture.
Tocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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
