What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Didecene
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Silica Silylate
EmollientDicalcium Phosphate
AbrasiveAluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveAroma
Ethyl Vanillin
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Didecene, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Silica Silylate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica, Aroma, Ethyl Vanillin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Tocopherol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 15850
Isopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPolybutene
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingCera Alba
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientHydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeOctocrylene
UV AbsorberSorbic Acid
PreservativeParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSucralose
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTin Oxide
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsopropyl Palmitate, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Parfum, Cera Alba, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Wax, Cera Microcristallina, Tocopherol, Ozokerite, Phenoxyethanol, Octocrylene, Sorbic Acid, Paraffinum Liquidum, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sucralose, Silica, Glycine Soja Oil, Tin Oxide, Mica, CI 45410, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCalcium Sodium Borosilicate is a bulking agent. It is considered a borosilicate glass; it is composed of powder or flakes of calcium and sodium borosilicates.
This ingredient is used to add volume, shine, and color to products. You'll most likely find this ingredient in makeup products.
According to in-vivo and ex-vivo studies done by a manufacturer, this ingredient works well with UV filters:
Learn more about Calcium Sodium BorosilicateCaprylic/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 77891Ethylhexyl 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 PalmitateHydrogenated Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydeceneWe don't have a description for Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer yet.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polybutene 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 SilicaTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Tocopherol 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 Tocopherol