What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Octyldodecanol
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silica
AbrasiveGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Octyldodecanol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Mica, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Trihydroxystearin, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Glucomannan, Tin Oxide, CI 15850, CI 77492, CI 77891, CI 77499
Paraffinum Liquidum
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDipentaerythrityl Tetrahydroxystearate/Tetraisostearate
Skin ConditioningPolyethylene
AbrasiveHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveNylon-12
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningIrvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientParfum
MaskingHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientHydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingOryzanol
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantMica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantParaffinum Liquidum, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Paraffin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dipentaerythrityl Tetrahydroxystearate/Tetraisostearate, Polyethylene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, Nylon-12, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Parfum, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Oryzanol, Tribehenin, CI 45380, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, BHT, Tocopherol, Mica, Tin Oxide, Silica, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 15850, CI 15985, CI 42090, CI 75470, CI 19140, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 17200, CI 77742
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 also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate is made up of calcium, aluminum, and silicates. It is a glass-like material. In cosmetics, it comes in the form of flakes or microspheres.
Calcium aluminum borosilicate is a bulking agent, meaning it helps thicken a product.
This ingredient is created by slowly mixing several minerals, including kaolin clay.
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Calcium Aluminum BorosilicateCalcium Sodium Borosilicate is a bulking agent. It is considered a borosilicate glass; it is composed of powder or flakes of calcium and sodium borosilicates.
This ingredient is used to add volume, shine, and color to products. You'll most likely find this ingredient in makeup products.
According to in-vivo and ex-vivo studies done by a manufacturer, this ingredient works well with UV filters:
Learn more about Calcium Sodium BorosilicateCi 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850Ci 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 77891Ethylhexyl 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 PalmitateMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaOctyldodecanol 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Tocopherol 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 Acetate