What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPhytic Acid
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientAmmonia
BufferingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxystearic/Linolenic/Linoleic Polyglycerides
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Octadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingHydrated Silica
AbrasiveSodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycolic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Stearic Acid, Phytic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Cholesterol, Ammonia, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Linoleic Polyglycerides, Stearyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Octadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium Phosphate, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventSynthetic Wax
AbrasivePEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningEperua Falcata Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
CleansingCeteareth-6
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phytate
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantNylon-12
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventPropylene Carbonate
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDextrin
AbsorbentPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Propanediol, Synthetic Wax, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Eperua Falcata Bark Extract, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Oleate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Ceteareth-6, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Cyclodextrin, Adenosine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Nylon-12, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propylene Carbonate, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dextrin, Pisum Sativum Extract, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15985, CI 77891, Parfum
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 TriglycerideDimethicone 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 DimethiconeParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water