What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOctyldodecanol
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientKaolin
AbrasiveAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDicalcium Phosphate
AbrasivePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningAroma
Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate
PerfumingCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Kaolin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dicalcium Phosphate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Trihydroxystearin, Aroma, Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate, CI 15850, CI 42090, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77510, CI 77891
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientPhenylisopropyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Silica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientLycium Barbarum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSunflower Seed Oil Glycerides
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientMethicone
EmollientTin Oxide
AbrasiveAlumina
AbrasiveDatem
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Isononyl Isononanoate, Isoamyl Laurate, Phenylisopropyl Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Silica, Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ceramide NP, Squalane, Lycium Barbarum Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil Glycerides, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Methicone, Tin Oxide, Alumina, Datem, Trihydroxystearin, Glucomannan, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Reviews
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 TriglycerideCi 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 77891Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateIsononyl 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 IsononanoateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSynthetic 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.
It has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTrihydroxystearin is what you get when you fully hydrogenate castor oil into a waxy, fine powder.
It's mostly a behind-the-scenes texture enhancer that's especially good at "thixotropic" thing where the product stays thick but applies nicely.
Because of its structure, it also acts as a mild skin conditioning emollient that helps soften skin while preventing moisture loss.
Safety studies show it to be safe and non-irritation in clinical tests. It's typically used in concentrations up to 5%.
Since its an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can potentially feed on. This makes it not fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Trihydroxystearin