What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTrimethylolpropane Triisostearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Aroma
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Ethyl Vanillin
MaskingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
CI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyldodecanol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Menthol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Nicotinate, CI 77120, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Aroma, CI 15850, CI 42090, CI 77491, CI 77891, Dicalcium Phosphate, Silica, Triacontanyl Pvp, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethyl Vanillin, Tin Oxide, Parfum, CI 45410
Polybutene
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Aroma
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Methyl Nicotinate
SoothingOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Silica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Menthyl Lactate, Aroma, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum, Methyl Nicotinate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Trihydroxystearin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, CI 77891, CI 45410, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aroma refers to an ingredient, or mixture of ingredients, that impart or mask a flavor.
The name is slightly confusing. This is because INCI associates aroma with flavor instead of smell.
Here is the official definition from the The International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook:
“Aroma is a term for ingredient labeling used to identify that a product contains a material or combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular flavor.”
INCI shows the only purpose of aroma to be "flavouring".
However, due to regulation differences, some companies may use aroma in place of parfum.
In Canada, this ingredient only has to be listed in concentrations above 1%.
Learn more about AromaCaprylic/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 TriglycerideCI 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye.
It often goes by both Red 28 or Red 27; manufacturers label both ingredients as CI 45410.
This dye is commonly found in makeup because it imparts a vivid color. Some types of this dye change color based on pH level and interaction with moisture:
Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5 - 5.5.
According to the FDA, CI 45410 is not permitted for use in eye products.
Red 27 is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.
Learn more about CI 45410Ci 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 77891Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneOctyldodecanol 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.
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate is an emollient ester that mostly shows up in color cosmetics.
Functionally, it works as a skin-conditioning agent and a viscosity-increasing agent. This just means it helps soften skin while also thickening water-free formulas (like powders).
Despite being a "stearate", it has a lightweight, cushiony, and non-greasy slip.
This ingredient has shown no adverse effects in testing and is deemed safe in cosmetics at current use levels.
Typical concentrations range from 0.7-23%.
Because it is made of C-18 fatty acids (like stearic acid), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Octyldodecyl Stearoyl StearateParfum 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 ParfumPolybutene is used to help control the viscosity of a product. This just means it helps adjusts the texture.
It is a polymer and does not get absorbed into the skin due to its large size.
Studies found this ingredient did not irritate skin in concentrations below 15%.
Learn more about PolybuteneSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about Silica
