What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Stearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Carbonate
SolventEthyl Vanillin
MaskingCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dicalcium Phosphate, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Wax, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Mica, Propylene Carbonate, Ethyl Vanillin, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77492, CI 42090
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polybutene
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventGlyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Glyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Wine Extract
Antioxidant
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polybutene, Polyethylene, Isononyl Isononanoate, Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Wax, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Glyceryl Laurate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Water, Butylene Glycol, Wine Extract, Rose Extract, Sucrose, 1,2-Hexanediol
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 TriglycerideMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
Octyldodecanol 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.
Polybutene is used to help control the viscosity of a product. This just means it helps adjusts the texture.
It is a polymer and does not get absorbed into the skin due to its large size.
Studies found this ingredient did not irritate skin in concentrations below 15%.
Learn more about PolybutenePolyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
This 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 CarbonateSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic Wax
