What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPhytelephas Aequatorialis Seed Powder
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Malachite Extract
Antioxidant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA-Copper
AstringentWater, Phytelephas Aequatorialis Seed Powder, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Malachite Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA-Copper
Water
Skin ConditioningBambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder
Abrasive
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Kaolin
Abrasive
Potassium Stearate
CleansingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tourmaline
Bentonite
Absorbent
Sucrose
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Simethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, CI 77220, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Kaolin, Potassium Stearate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tourmaline, Bentonite, Sucrose, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, PEG-100 Stearate, Simethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, 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.
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 ingredientās 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 TriglycerideCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
