What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientMethicone
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTribehenin
EmollientTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Sodium Saccharin
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Synthetic Wax, Cera Microcristallina, Isostearyl Alcohol, Mica, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Parfum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Methicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tribehenin, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sodium Saccharin, Lactic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, BHT, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 45410, CI 15850, CI 42090
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1%
UV AbsorberIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientC10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters
EmulsifyingParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientPolybutene
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantRosa Damascena Extract
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingParfum
MaskingTribehenin
EmollientCommiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTrimethylolpropane Triisostearate
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantCI 12085
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45370
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77002
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1%, Isononyl Isononanoate, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Paraffinum Liquidum, Polybutene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Cera Microcristallina, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Rosa Damascena Extract, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum, Tribehenin, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, BHT, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Propyl Gallate, CI 12085, CI 15850, CI 15985, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 45370, CI 45380, CI 45410, CI 47005, CI 73360, CI 75470, CI 77891, CI 77002, CI 77163, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, 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.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTThis ingredient is lipid-based synthetic skin-conditioning agent derived from adipic acid and a mixture of fatty acids. It is often called a lanolin substitute.
As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate the skin. Emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Due to its fatty acid base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2This ingredient is a petroleum-derived wax used to thicken formulas, improve texture, and help lock in moisture.
Like other forms of wax, it forms an occlusive layer on the skin to reduce water loss.
While it can be beneficial for very dry or compromised skin, Cera Microcristallina may not be fungal acne safe; waxes and certain hydrocarbons may contribute to Malassezia growth for those prone to fungal acne.
As with many heavy occlusive ingredients, it may feel too rich for oily or acne-prone skin types. Individual tolerance can vary.
Learn more about Cera MicrocristallinaCi 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 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
CI 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye.
It often goes by both Red 28 or Red 27; manufacturers label both ingredients as CI 45410.
This dye is commonly found in makeup because it imparts a vivid color. Some types of this dye change color based on pH level and interaction with moisture:
Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5 - 5.5.
According to the FDA, CI 45410 is not permitted for use in eye products.
Red 27 is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.
Learn more about CI 45410Ci 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. It is a fatty acid ester.
The fatty acid content of Ethylhexyl Palmitate makes it an emollient. Emollients help soften and hydrate your skin by trapping moisture within.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is also used to help improve the texture of cosmetics. It helps other ingredient dissolve in products and help disperse ingredients more evenly.
You'll likely find this ingredient in sunscreen, as it is often used to mix UV-blocking ingredients such as avobenzone and ethylhexyl triazone.
It can also help stabilize the fragrances in a product as a fragrance fixative.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be used to substitute mineral oil.
Due to its high fatty acid content, it may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTocopherol 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 TocopherolTribehenin comes from glycerin and behenic acid.
It is used as an emollient, or moisturizer. Emollients form a thin barrier on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Tribehenin