What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Polybutene
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingBehenoxy Dimethicone
Emollient
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Aroma
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hoya Lacunosa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polybutene, Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Paraffin, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Ozokerite, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Aroma, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Benzyl Alcohol, Hoya Lacunosa Flower Extract, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 15850, CI 42090, CI 19140, CI 45410
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Polybutene
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingDicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cymbidium Grandiflorum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polybutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Cera Microcristallina, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Silica, Ozokerite, Dicalcium Phosphate, Parfum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cymbidium Grandiflorum Flower Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Benzyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 15985, CI 15850
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.
This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.
Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2Caprylic/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鈥檚 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 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850Ci 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 77891Octyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Ozokerite is a naturally occuring mineral wax. In cosmetics, ozokerite is used as a texture enhancer.
Ceresin wax is derived from this ingredient.
The melting point of ozokerite is 58-100 C.
Ozokerite is found all over the world including Scotland, the US, and India.
Learn more about OzokeritePentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate is a synthetic emollient and "skin-feel" ingredient that spreads well and leaves a non-sticky finish with high gloss.
In makeup, it also doubles as a pigment-wetting agent for better color payoff.
It's a well-vetted ingredient for safety and does not penetrate into skin due to its large molecule size.
Because it's a long-chain fatty acid ester, this ingredient may not be fungal acne or Malassezia safe.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl TetraisostearatePolybutene 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 Silica
