What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientKaolin
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Mannitol
Humectant
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Glucose
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingSucrose
Humectant
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Kaolin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Mannitol, Arachidyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Glucose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Behenyl Alcohol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Zea Mays Starch, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Olivate, CI 77891, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Sucrose, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, CI 77007, Allantoin, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77289, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
Masking
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Rheum Palmatum Root Extract
Astringent
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Bentonite, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Salicylic Acid, Charcoal Powder, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Mannitol, Sorbitan Stearate, Citric Acid, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polysorbate 60, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCi 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 77891Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is a semi-synthetic polymer created from cellulose. In case you need a refresher, cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose has many uses:
- emulsifier
- create a gel-like texture
- boost foam
Kaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinMannitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a humectant and moisturizes the skin. In vitro (not tested on a living organism), mannitol displays antioxidant properties.
When found in aqueous solutions, mannitol tends to become acidic. This is because it loses a hydrogen ion. This is why mannitol can often be found with pH adjusting ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate.
Fun fact: Mannitol can be found in foods as a sweetener. It can be naturally found in mushrooms, algae, fruits, and veggies.
Learn more about MannitolMicrocrystalline Cellulose is another name for refined wood pulp. It is used as an emulsifier and mattifying ingredient. As an emulsifier, it helps keep ingredients together.
Tocopheryl 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
