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
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Squalane
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientJojoba Esters
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, 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, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglycerin-3, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
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-2Isononyl 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 PhenoxyethanolSynthetic 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
