What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polybutene
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingStearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Carbonate
SolventPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Dicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate
Calcium Titanium Borosilicate
Abrasive
Alumina
Abrasive
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Silica
Abrasive
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, Polybutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Wax, Ozokerite, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Mica, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Alumina, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 15850, CI 42090, CI 19140, CI 45410, CI 15985
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Dicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Polybutene
Silica
Abrasive
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Odorata Root Extract
RefreshingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Dicalcium Phosphate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Polybutene, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Cera Microcristallina, Synthetic Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, BHT, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nymphaea Odorata Root Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, CI 15850, CI 42090
Reviews
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 TriglycerideCi 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.
This ingredient is a mineral salt of calcium and phosphate. It is mainly used as a mild abrasive and sometimes used to add opacity to a formula.
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.
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 FluorphlogopiteSynthetic 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.
It has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides
