What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Glycine Soja Lipids
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion Stabilising
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
PEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Polyethylene, Glycine Soja Lipids, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Glycolic Acid, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Water, Tribehenin, Ceramide Ng, Phytosterols, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2.5%
UV Absorber
Polybutene
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Aroma
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 12085
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantHomosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octocrylene 2.5%, Polybutene, Octyldodecanol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cera Microcristallina, Polyethylene, Polyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Aroma, Silica Silylate, Adenosine, Retinyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Isopropyl Myristate, Propylene Carbonate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Silica, CI 15850, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Tin Oxide, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77742, Blue 1 Lake, CI 19140, CI 45380, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 12085, CI 16035
Alternatives
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 coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilOctyldodecanol 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.
Polyethylene 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.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
