What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polybutene
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Aroma
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Nicotinate
SoothingPropylene Carbonate
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Saccharin
MaskingSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Niacin
SmoothingPortulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol, Polybutene, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Aroma, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Menthoxypropanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Nicotinate, Propylene Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Saccharin, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Caffeine, Niacin, Portulaca Pilosa Extract
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polybutene
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Aroma
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Nicotinate
SoothingPropylene Carbonate
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Saccharin
MaskingSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Niacin
SmoothingPortulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningAtelocollagen
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Water
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol, Polybutene, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Aroma, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Menthoxypropanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Nicotinate, Propylene Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Saccharin, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Caffeine, Niacin, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Atelocollagen, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose Cocoate, Water, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Aroma refers to an ingredient, or mixture of ingredients, that impart or mask a flavor.
The name is slightly confusing. This is because INCI associates aroma with flavor instead of smell.
Here is the official definition from the The International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook:
“Aroma is a term for ingredient labeling used to identify that a product contains a material or combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular flavor.”
INCI shows the only purpose of aroma to be "flavouring".
However, due to regulation differences, some companies may use aroma in place of parfum.
In Canada, this ingredient only has to be listed in concentrations above 1%.
Learn more about AromaButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl Ethylhexanoate is derived from cetearyl alcohol and sorbic acid.
It is an emollient and helps hydrate the skin. Emollients form a barrier on the skin to prevent water from escaping.
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 a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateMenthoxypropanediol can cause irritation and worsen rosacea.
We don't have a description for Methyl Nicotinate yet.
Niacin is the other form of B3, with the other being niacinamide. The two have similar skin benefits: reducing inflammation, strengthening the skin barrier, and fading dark spots.
Octyldodecanol 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.
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate is derived from isostearic acid. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
The highest concentration of this ingredient is found in lipsticks.
This ingredient is minimally water soluble and may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne 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 PolybuteneWe don't have a description for Portulaca Pilosa Extract yet.
This ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateWe don't have a description for Quaternium-90 Bentonite yet.
We don't have a description for Saccharin yet.
This silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateSodium Chondroitin Sulfate is a type of sulfate.
Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan Isostearate
