What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil
Emollient
Polybutene
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Corylus Avellana Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Sodium Saccharin
MaskingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract
TonicPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil
Masking
Prunus Cerasus Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLitchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningAverrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Bark Extract
MaskingLycium Chinense Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Alba Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Vanilla Planifolia Seed Powder
Abrasive
Rubus Villosus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningAroma
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantRosin
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil, Polybutene, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Sodium Saccharin, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil, Prunus Cerasus Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Averrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Bark Extract, Lycium Chinense Leaf Extract, Brassica Alba Seed Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Seed Powder, Rubus Villosus Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Glycerin, Water, Aroma, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77120, Rosin, CI 15850, CI 42090, CI 19140
Polyisobutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Aroma
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Squalane, Aroma, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aroma refers to an ingredient, or mixture of ingredients, that impart or mask a flavor.
The name is slightly confusing. This is because INCI associates aroma with flavor instead of smell.
Here is the official definition from the The International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook:
“Aroma is a term for ingredient labeling used to identify that a product contains a material or combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular flavor.”
INCI shows the only purpose of aroma to be "flavouring".
However, due to regulation differences, some companies may use aroma in place of parfum.
In Canada, this ingredient only has to be listed in concentrations above 1%.
Learn more about AromaCaprylic/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 TriglycerideDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate (DESM) is a photostabilizer, antioxidant, and SPF booster.
One of DESM's main roles is stabilizing UV filters, especially avobenzone. Avobenzone is notoriously unstable when exposed to sunlight. By enhancing the stability of these filters, DESM helps maintain the sunscreen's effectivess through wear. It also helps improve protection against long-wave UVA rays by increasing the wavelength of the formula.
Besides enhancing UVA protection, DESM can boost the SPF of high-SPF formulations by up to 5 units.
DESM also preserves the color integrity of cosmetic products and helps reduce the chance of yellowing of fading due to light exposure.
This ingredient is typically found in concentrations between 0.3% - 0.5%. There are currently no maximum usage limits by regulatory bodies.
Though this ingredient is a chemical UV filter, it can often be found in "100% mineral" sunscreens. This is due to regulatory loopholes.
Learn more about Diethylhexyl SyringylidenemalonateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinHydrogenated 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 PolyisobutenePentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate is a synthetic emollient and "skin-feel" ingredient that spreads well and leaves a non-sticky finish with high gloss.
In makeup, it also doubles as a pigment-wetting agent for better color payoff.
It's a well-vetted ingredient for safety and does not penetrate into skin due to its large molecule size.
Because it's a long-chain fatty acid ester, this ingredient may not be fungal acne or Malassezia safe.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl TetraisostearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
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
