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
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Dicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventNylon-12
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Mica, Polybutene, Polyethylene, Dicalcium Phosphate, Paraffin, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Squalane, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Kaolin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Synthetic Wax, Stearic Acid, Microcrystalline Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Nylon-12, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI 42090, CI 19140, Iron Oxides, CI 45410, CI 15985
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 TriglycerideKaolin 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 KaolinMica 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 MicaMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePolyethylene 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.
Polyhydroxystearic 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 AcidThis 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 CarbonateStearalkonium Hectorite is a clay-derived ingredient used to thicken a product and help create a gel-like texture.
Synthetic 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.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic Wax
