What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Steareth-20
CleansingLecithin
Emollient
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Ozokerite, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Steareth-20, Lecithin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Chrysin, Potassium Sorbate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, CI 77891, CI 77007, Iron Oxides
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Silica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Cera Microcristallina, Dimethicone, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
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 TriglyceridePhenoxyethanol 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.
Phytosteryl Macadamiate is an ester made by combining phytosterols (the plant version of cholesterol) with fatty acids from macadamia seed oil.
It's a botanical copycat of the cholesteryl esters found in your skin's surface lipids and mimics how your skin's own barrier lipids organize.
Research on phytosterols show they can help with skin barrier recovery and protect skin against UV-induced damage when combined with ceramides.
The fatty acid portion of this ingredient is mainly oleic acid and palmitoleic acid, two potential Malassezia triggers. Be sure to patch test if you're unsure.
Learn more about Phytosteryl MacadamiateTocopherol 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
