What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glyceryl Stearate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Synthetic Wax, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Glycerin, Synthetic Beeswax, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Acrylates Copolymer, Octyldodecanol, Tocopherol, Cera Microcristallina, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77007, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPolyamide-5
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
PEG-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Nylon-12
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
PEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Synthetic Beeswax, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Glyceryl Stearate, Pvp, Polyamide-5, Polyacrylic Acid, Palmitic Acid, PEG-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Nylon-12, Aminomethyl Propanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-10, PEG-90m, Sodium Benzoate, Silica, Tocopherol, CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidSynthetic beeswax is created to be identical in structure to beeswax without involving bees, making it a go-to for vegan formulas.
It's mainly used an an emulsion stabilizer and thickener.
This ingredient (alongside other synthetic waxes) have been concluded to be safe in cosmetics under the present practices.
Reported usage goes up to 18% and it is non-sensitizing.
Just one caveat for fungal acne: This ingredient is made up of C16-32 fatty acids and fatty acid esters. Part of this overlaps with the C11-24 range that the Malassezia yeast can feed on, so it's not fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic BeeswaxTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
