What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTapioca Starch
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tapioca Starch, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Water, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Salicylate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77492
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateCi 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 77891Polyhydroxystearic 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 AcidTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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
