What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Methicone
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Methicone, Water, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder
Abrasive
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Cetearyl Olivate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Honokiol
Antioxidant
Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract
TonicHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMica, Silica, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Lauroyl Lysine, Glyceryl Stearate, Octyldodecanol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Potassium Sorbate, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Water, Stearic Acid, Candelilla Cera, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Cetearyl Olivate, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Olivate, Honokiol, Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, CI 77491, CI 77492, 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.
Glyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateSilica, 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 SilicaTocopherol 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
