What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingParaffin
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Nylon-6
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGlyceryl Diisostearate
Emollient
Cera Alba
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin Myristate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cera Microcristallina, Paraffin, Synthetic Wax, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Diisostearyl Malate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Nylon-6, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glyceryl Diisostearate, Cera Alba, Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Dextrin Myristate, Tocopherol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77007
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
C10-13 Isoparaffin
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Kaolin
Abrasive
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantC9-11 Isoparaffin
Solvent
Nylon-66
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate-13
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Sodium Glycerophosphate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Iron Oxides
Water, Alcohol, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, C10-13 Isoparaffin, Glyceryl Stearate, Kaolin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, PEG-100 Stearate, Mica, C9-11 Isoparaffin, Nylon-66, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyacrylate-13, Phenoxyethanol, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyisobutene, Sodium Glycerophosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, 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.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholPhenoxyethanol 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.
Euphorbia 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
