What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningShea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Pentaoleate
Emulsifying
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Undecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tridecane
Perfuming
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Magnesium Sulfate
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Raspberry Ketone
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventCitric Acid
Buffering
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Polyglyceryl-6 Pentaoleate, Isoamyl Laurate, Undecane, Glycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tridecane, Jojoba Esters, Magnesium Sulfate, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Bakuchiol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Raspberry Ketone, Persea Gratissima Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Propylene Carbonate, Glycolipids, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglycerin-3, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Benzyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingMagnesium Sulfate
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Octyldodecanol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Squalane, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Isostearic Acid, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Sorbic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglycerin-3, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Reviews
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 mimosa flower wax. It is a plant-derived vegetable wax with emollient and skin conditioning properties.
One manufacturer describes this ingredient as a mix of free fatty alcohols, saturated monoesters, and odd-numbered long hydrocarbon chains. This profile is consistent with a wax that can feel like an occlusive. This mixture of compounds can make this ingredient not fungal acne, or malassezia folliculitis, safe.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax is created from the common sunflower.
Sunflower seed wax is made up of long chain non-glyceride esters, a small amount of fatty alcohols, and fatty acids.
This ingredient is often used to enhance the texture of products. The fatty acid properties also help hydrate the skin.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed WaxJojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.
This ingredient has high oxidative stability, meaning it doesn't break down when exposed to oxygen.
Its similarity to our skin's natural oils makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe our skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, keeping skin hydrated.
It is created using either the hydrogenation or transesterification processes on jojoba oil.
Learn more about Jojoba EstersMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfatePersea Gratissima Oil is also known as avocado oil.
Avocado Oil has antioxidant properties. It is mostly made up of the glycerides of fatty acids. About 67% of these fatty acids is made up of oleic acid. Palmitic acid and linoleic acid are also present.
These fatty acids help hydrate and soften the skin. It may increase collagen content in the skin. Collagen helps keep your skin plump and firm. This ingredient helps reduce inflammation and has not shown to clog pores.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe due to its high fatty acid content.
Avocados also have B vitamins, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, and potassium.
Learn more about Persea Gratissima OilPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyglycerin-3 is a 3-unit glycerin polymer.
Like glycerin, this ingredient is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing water to it.
Having moisturized skin helps improve the skin barrier. Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Learn more about Polyglycerin-3This 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 CarbonateWater. 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 WaterThis 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
