What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Alumina
Abrasive
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Phenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Physalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingMelanin
Skin ProtectingPlankton Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Oxothiazolidine
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventLecithin
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Niacinamide, Alumina, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Phenethyl Benzoate, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract, Physalis Angulata Extract, Melanin, Plankton Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Oxothiazolidine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Phenylpropanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Propanediol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Propanediol
Solvent
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Polymethyl Methacrylate
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
CI 77492
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Carbonate
SolventCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantLysine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Magnesium Chloride
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Octocrylene, Propanediol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, CI 77891, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Polysilicone-15, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tromethamine, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Silica, CI 77492, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Polysorbate 60, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, CI 77491, Propylene Carbonate, CI 77499, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Aluminum Hydroxide, PEG-8, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Lysine, Tocopherol, Magnesium Chloride, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoritePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolThis 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 CarbonateSilica, 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 SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
