What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientTrimethylolpropane Triisostearate
EmollientBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCera Alba
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingParfum
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventAlumina
AbrasiveSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasivePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Octyldodecanol, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Jojoba Esters, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, CI 77220, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cera Alba, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Parfum, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Propylene Carbonate, Alumina, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Trihydroxystearin, Propyl Gallate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 15850, CI 42090
Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate
PerfumingSqualane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingStearyl Heptanoate
EmollientCera Alba
EmollientStearyl Caprylate
EmollientSucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Jasminum Officinale Flower Wax
EmollientPrunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantJasminum Grandiflorum Flower Extract
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearyl Heptanoate, Cera Alba, Stearyl Caprylate, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Jasminum Officinale Flower Wax, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Parfum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Propyl Gallate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Extract, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 15850, 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.
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate is made up of calcium, aluminum, and silicates. It is a glass-like material. In cosmetics, it comes in the form of flakes or microspheres.
Calcium aluminum borosilicate is a bulking agent, meaning it helps thicken a product.
This ingredient is created by slowly mixing several minerals, including kaolin clay.
Although âaluminumâ in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic âaluminum overload.â
Learn more about Calcium Aluminum BorosilicateCera alba is beeswax, or the wax used by bees to make honeycombs. It is a texture-enhancer and emollient. A study from 2003 found beeswax to be a stronger emollient than ingredients such as petroleum jelly.
As an emollient, beeswax helps hydrate the skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in.
Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating. This helps create consistent texture.
The structure of beeswax is mainly long-chain alcohols and the esters of fatty acids.
There are three types of beeswax: yellow, white, and absolute. Yellow is pure beeswax taken from the honeycomb. White beeswax is created by filtering or bleaching yellow beeswax. Absolute beeswax is created by treating beeswax with alcohol. Beeswax used in cosmetics are purified.
Beeswax has been used throughout history and even in prehistoric times. Some common uses for beeswax still used today are making candles, as a waterproofing agent, and polish for leather.
Learn more about Cera AlbaCi 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 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
Ci 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 77891We don't have a description for Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate yet.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax is created from the common sunflower.
Sunflower seed wax is made up of long chain non-glyceride esters, a small amount of fatty alcohols, and fatty acids.
This ingredient is often used to enhance the texture of products. The fatty acid properties also help hydrate the skin.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed WaxOryza Sativa Bran Wax is wax from the outer layer of a rice kernel. It has moisturizing properties due to its polysaccharides and omega-3 fatty acids content.
This ingredient is a byproduct of milling rice, or the operation to produce a whole grain rice product.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateThis ingredient is a form of glycerin with emulsifying and emollient properties.
As an emulsifier, this ingredient helps keep products together while adding a thick texture. The manufacturer states this ingredient has emollient properties. Emollients help keep the skin hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is created by reacting diglycerin and isostearic acid. Due to the isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearatePropyl Gallate is a synthetic antioxidant. It works by protecting the oils, fats, and fragrance compounds in a formula from going rancid through oxidation, helping the product stay stable and effective for longer.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel recommends keeping Propyl Gallate at or below 0.1% due to potential sensitization at higher levels, and most formulas stay within that limit.
We flag Propyl Gallate as both a general irritant and a lip irritant because direct skin contact can trigger redness or allergic contact dermatitis. The more sensitive skin on and around the lips is prone to reacting.
Learn more about Propyl GallateSqualane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, itâs technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term âoil-freeâ isnât regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about SqualaneTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinâs lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolThis ingredient comes from trimethylolpropane and isostearic acid. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient provides a non-tacky, light, glossy feeling on the skin.
Due to its isotearic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate