What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Kaolin
Abrasive
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventRosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Passiflora Edulis Seed Acid
BleachingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Microcrystalline Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyethylene, Silica, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Kaolin, Synthetic Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Mica, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Propylene Carbonate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Acid, Tocopherol
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Kaolin
Abrasive
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Isododecane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Synthetic Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Kaolin, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Boron Nitride, Isododecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 15850
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.
This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.
Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2Caprylic/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 TriglycerideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinSynthetic 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 WaxTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
