What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-21
CleansingMethylglucamine
Myristic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPvp
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-21, Methylglucamine, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Panthenol, Pvp, Tocopherol, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77499, CI 77007
Water
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates Copolymer
Jojoba Esters
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Stearic Acid
CleansingPropanediol
SolventPalmitic Acid
EmollientAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Phosphate
BufferingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Synthetic Beeswax, Acrylates Copolymer, Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Stearic Acid, Propanediol, Palmitic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Tocopherol, Sodium Phosphate, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Palmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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