What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTriisostearin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPunica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
AbrasiveOpuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycereth-26, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Triisostearin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Betaine, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetearyl Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Tromethamine, Carbomer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Polysorbate 60, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Tin Oxide, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Alumina, Silica, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPolymethyl Methacrylate
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberPolysilicone-15
UV FilterCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCI 77492
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Carbonate
SolventCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantLysine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMagnesium Chloride
Ascorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Octocrylene, Propanediol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, CI 77891, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Polysilicone-15, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tromethamine, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Silica, CI 77492, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Polysorbate 60, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, CI 77491, Propylene Carbonate, CI 77499, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Aluminum Hydroxide, PEG-8, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Lysine, Tocopherol, Magnesium Chloride, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 77891Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPolysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Silica, 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 SilicaTocopheryl 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 AcetateTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum