What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningTrihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 20, Octyldodecanol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Trihydroxystearin, CI 42090, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, CI 19140, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Citric Acid
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
PEG-8 Glyceryl Isostearate
Emollient
Canadian Colloidal Clay
Skin ConditioningCanola Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientBletilla Striata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOpunta Dillenii Extract
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, PEG-8 Glyceryl Isostearate, Canadian Colloidal Clay, Canola Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Water, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Bletilla Striata Root Extract, Opunta Dillenii Extract, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
Ethylhexyl 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 an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitatePEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate is a synthetic, oil-loving helper ingredient that does two jobs:
This ingredient is made by joining three building blocks: PEG, Isostearic Acid and glycerin. The PEG gives it the oil-and-water blending power.
This ingredient has been found safe for use in cosmetics and broader PEG family testing shows minimal irritation/sensitization. The molecule's large size also means it isn't expected to penetrate skin to any meaningful degree.
Fungal acne note: This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to isostearic acid (C18). Isostearic acid falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about PEG-20 Glyceryl TriisostearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Jojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilWater. 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 Water
