What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Didecene
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Isoamyl Laurate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingTin Oxide
AbrasivePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Didecene, Squalane, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Isoamyl Laurate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tin Oxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77163
Isododecane
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Octyldodecanol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Odorata Root Extract
RefreshingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsostearic Acid
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTin Oxide
AbrasiveLecithin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Isododecane, Mica, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nymphaea Odorata Root Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isostearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tin Oxide, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, 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 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 77891Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilWe don't have a description for Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer yet.
Octyldodecanol 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.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.