What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone, Silica, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polyethylene, Microcrystalline Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, CI 42090, CI 17200
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Dicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Nylon-12
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Talc
Abrasive
BHT
Antioxidant
Iron Oxides
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Synthetic Wax, Polyethylene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Silica Silylate, Nylon-12, Mica, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Talc, BHT, Iron Oxides, CI 42090, CI 77891
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 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
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 77891Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
Tocopheryl 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
