What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Squalane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPropylene Carbonate
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingIsostearic Acid
CleansingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Mica, Synthetic Wax, Silica, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Squalane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Jojoba Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Microcrystalline Wax, Oryza Sativa Starch, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglycerin-3, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 15850, CI 42090
Octyldodecanol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientTalc
AbrasiveBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentBehenyl Behenate
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasivePassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAroma
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentMalpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPassiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasivePunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Talc, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Synthetic Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Behenyl Behenate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Silica, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ceresin, Phenoxyethanol, Aroma, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Benzyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hexylene Glycol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 45410, CI 19140, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.
This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.
Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2Caprylyl 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 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 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 77891Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoatePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPolyhydroxystearic 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 AcidSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSynthetic 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.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate