What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
EmulsifyingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDextrin Palmitate/Ethylhexanoate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBHT
AntioxidantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientMoringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantMethylparaben
PreservativeAscorbyl Dipalmitate
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Water, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Caprylyl Methicone, Dextrin Palmitate/Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, BHT, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Moringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Methylparaben, Ascorbyl Dipalmitate
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Laurate
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSucrose Stearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSucrose Laurate
EmollientSucrose Myristate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Germ Oil
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantSucrose
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexyl Palmitate, Triethylhexanoin, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Water, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Propylene Glycol Laurate, Kaolin, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sucrose Laurate, Sucrose Myristate, Panthenol, Zea Mays Germ Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Sucrose, Hyaluronic Acid, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Citric Acid
Reviews
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 ingredient’s 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 TriglycerideEthylhexyl 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 PalmitatePentaerythrityl 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 HydroxyhydrocinnamateJojoba 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.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil 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