What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTridecyl Trimellitate, Octyldodecanol, Diisostearyl Malate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Triethylhexanoin, Ozokerite, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 15985, CI 15850, CI 77891
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingGlyceryl Dioleate
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ceresin, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C10-18 Triglycerides, Triolein, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Glyceryl Dioleate, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 15850, CI 15985
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-2Ci 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 15985 is a dye made from petroleum. It is synthetically created and approved by the FDA for use in foods and cosmetics.
The color of this dye is orange/yellow.
This ingredient can be found in makeup, sun care, and skincare.
Learn more about CI 15985Ci 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 77891Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
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 Tetraisostearate is a synthetic emollient and "skin-feel" ingredient that spreads well and leaves a non-sticky finish with high gloss.
In makeup, it also doubles as a pigment-wetting agent for better color payoff.
It's a well-vetted ingredient for safety and does not penetrate into skin due to its large molecule size.
Because it's a long-chain fatty acid ester, this ingredient may not be fungal acne or Malassezia safe.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl TetraisostearateSynthetic 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
