What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Silica
Abrasive
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Methicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Prunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingArnebia Euchroma Root Extract
AntimicrobialNephrite Powder
Abrasive
Silk Powder
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pearl Powder
Kaolin
Abrasive
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
CI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Methicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Arnebia Euchroma Root Extract, Nephrite Powder, Silk Powder, Butylene Glycol, Pearl Powder, Kaolin, Tin Oxide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Water, Glycerin, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sorbic Acid, CI 77742, CI 77891
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 TriglycerideDimethicone 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 CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinMethicone is a type of silicone and is a simpler form of dimethicone.
Silicones are used to enhance the texture of products and have emollient properties. Methicone is used to give products a silky texture and improves spreadability.
Silica, 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 SilicaTocopherol 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
