What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeIsostearic Acid
CleansingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingVanillin
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Tribehenin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Isostearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Vanillin, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 42090, CI 15850, CI 45380, CI 45410, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 15985
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Squalane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPropylene Carbonate
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingIsostearic Acid
CleansingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Synthetic Wax, Silica, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Squalane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Jojoba Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Microcrystalline Wax, Oryza Sativa Starch, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglycerin-3, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoateIsopropyl Myristate is an ester made by combining isopropyl alcohol with myristic acid.
It is primarily an emollient and penetration enhancer that gives products a lightweight, silky feel without the heaviness of oils.
This ingredient is generally considered non-toxic, non-irritating, and has low absorption potential.
You might have heard that this ingredient clogs pores. This reputation comes from the older rabbit ear studies which are more sensitive than human skin to clogging.
Dermatologist Dr. Zoe Draelos has also confirmed in a peer-reviewed paper that products containing comedogenic ingredients are not necessarily comedogenic themselves.
A small subset of people (~2%) may experience contact sensitivity so patch testing is a reasonable idea if you have reactive skin.
Since this ingredient is an ester of myristic acid (a C14 fatty acid), it falls within the carbon chain range that is known to feed Malassezia. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristateIsostearic Acid is a fatty acid and a structural cousin of stearic acid. It is an emulsifier.
The branched structure of this ingredient enhances fluidity and gives it a lighter, less greasy feel compared to other fatty acids. It helps improve texture and consistency because it prevents oil and water phases from separating.
This ingredient is sourced from plant-based oils like soybean or rapeseed.
Clinical studies found no signs of irritation from this ingredient.
Since Isostearic Acid is an 18-carbon fatty acid, it is in the range that Malassezia can feed on. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might have seen sources that this ingredient is comedogenic. The original comedogenic testing on rabbit ear actually tested the ester, Isopropyl Isostearate and not Isostearic acid itself. There has been no comedogenic testing done on this ingredient, but it may be worth patch testing if you have acne-prone skin.
Learn more about Isostearic AcidLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearatePolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate is a plant-derived emulsifier made by combining glycerin and ricinoleic acid.
It works well for giving buttery lip balms and low-viscosity water-in-oil emulsions a non-greasy and pleasant skin feel.
Typical concentrations range from 0.1-3%.
This ingredient is mild and non-irritating in nature.
Because it is derived from ricinoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Ricinoleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleatePolyhydroxystearic Acid is a vegetable-derived soft wax made from castor oil. It's an emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
You'll likely see it in sunscreens because it helps disperse pigments and UV-reflecting minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide evenly.
Depending on the concentration, it can drastically change the texture of a product from pasty solid (like lipstick) to sprayable liquid.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics. The highest reported use concentration is 14.2% in lipsticks.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidTocopheryl 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