What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingIron Oxides
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveSodium Chloride
MaskingTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningDioctyldodecyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantStearic Acid
CleansingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingHectorite
AbsorbentCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingLecithin
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Lysine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingBoswellia Carterii Oil
MaskingMagnesium Chloride
Magnesium Myristate
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
MaskingCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientRose Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningSelaginella Tamariscina Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingWater, CI 77891, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Isoamyl Laurate, C15-19 Alkane, Pentylene Glycol, Isododecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, CI 77120, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Iron Oxides, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Alumina, Sodium Chloride, Triheptanoin, Dioctyldodecyl Dimer Dilinoleate, C9-12 Alkane, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77491, Stearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Hectorite, CI 77499, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lysine, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Myristate, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Dna, Selaginella Tamariscina Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Silica Silylate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingLecithin
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Citronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Propanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Diisostearyl Malate, C9-12 Alkane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Phenoxyethanol, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Silica Silylate, Sodium Chloride, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Lecithin, Silica, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mica, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene, Citral
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C9-12 Alkane is synethically created using alkanes, or paraffins. It is added to products as a solvent. This means its main purpose is to help dissolve ingredients and create even texture.
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 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 77891Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateLecithin 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 PolyricinoleatePolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate isn't fungal acne safe.
Polyhydroxystearic 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 AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolChances 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.
Water. 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 WaterThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides